Brighton and Hove Albion 2020/21 season

The Boy

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High hopes for the coming season, having finished in July on the high of our best ever premiership points haul and a plethora of young exciting players settling into the team nicely.

Signing Lallana is a clever move for us and brings an edge of experience into our attack that was a bit lacking last year, while Veltman from Ajax gives us some real depth in the squad and helps solve that RB position that we struggled with badly before Lamptey arrived from Chelsea last January.

Potter also now has a year’s worth of premiership experience and the players are far more used to his ways now, so the time spent adapting last season won’t be repeated this time around and we can hit the ground running with high morale.

Our line up in the opener against Chelsea will look something like this I think

Ryan

Lamptey Dunk White Burn

Bissouma Propper Lallana

Mac Allister

Mapuay Connolly/Nunez​

Bench: Button, Veltman, Webster, Mooy, Connolly, Alzate, Trossard

That’s probably the best team we’ve had for decades, if not ever and there’s still the possibility of another striker coming in as well, which would be handy, maybe Darwin Nunez with reports we’ve had a 20 million euro bid accepted.

Lamptey, White, Alzate, Connolly and Mac Allister are all 22 or under and developing fast, while the likes of Dunk, Lallana and Mooy offer senior experience giving the squad a good balanced feel.

Ideally I’d like to see another LB signed to give us another option after Burn, who though he adapted to LB well is really a CB. While outgoings could well be Duffy to Celtic, Montoya to Betis, Schelotto is out of contract, Kayal's been released and I expect Jahanbakhsh to leave too.

As I said, high hopes, maybe even top 10 with a bit of luck!
 
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VorZakone

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Aren't you missing another player in the opening line up? Looks 10 players.
 

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While outgoings could well be Duffy to Celtic, Montoya to Betis, Schelotto is out of contract, Kayal's been released and I expect Jahanbakhsh to leave too.
Are you confident you will manage to keep hold of Ben White for the new season ? How many years does he have left on his current contract, two ? Not sure Brighton would want to risk letting.a player of his quality leave on a free or very cheap
 

The Boy

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Are you confident you will manage to keep hold of Ben White for the new season ? How many years does he have left on his current contract, two ? Not sure Brighton would want to risk letting.a player of his quality leave on a free or very cheap
He hasn't signed a new contract and his contract ends next summer but apparently has a one year extension option.

I think we'll keep him this year at least. Remember he hasn't played a minute of prem football ever. If he signs and lives up to his potential, brilliant we could keep him a little longer and have a great player. If he doesn't sign we could still sell him next summer for very decent money once people have seen him handle the premiership.

We have so much cover at CB at the moment and also have some excellent young CBs coming through.
 

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Did get a quick couple of signings in with Lallana and Veltman. With White also coming back, I see them comfortably avoiding relegation this season.

It seems that Potter has a vision and the board's backing as well, albeit with limited funds. That would explain the big contract last October as well as early identification and signing of targets.

I would speculate that they would play 3 at the back with a selection from Dunk, White, Webster and Burn and with wing backs being chosen from Lamptey, Alzate and can't recall the others (Scheletto was it?). Midfield is a bit light but Lallana should add some modest quality while Maupay and Connolly seem to be the forward options. It's the type of squad which could fall apart under any other manager but it seems to be a thoughtful selection by Potter. They'll be an interesting watch as I like the fact that they are going against the typical hoofball lower table style of play.
 

The Boy

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It seems that Potter has a vision and the board's backing as well, albeit with limited funds. That would explain the big contract last October as well as early identification and signing of targets.
Apparently Dan Ashworth, Tony Bloom and Graham Potter work very closely together to plan and identify targets.

Dan Ashworth has been brilliant for us and his ideas on squad development and youth align very closely with Potter's, he was instrumental in Potter's appointment, and oversees much of our business. He was head of elite development with the FA before he joined us in 2018 and was linked to you guys for the DoF post before joining us as technical director.
 

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It's the strongest Brighton have looked on paper since being in the Premier League, but think they do need more goalscoring options. Maupay is a good striker who has a lot to his game, but can see Brighton being too reliant on him for goals.
 

The Boy

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It's the strongest Brighton have looked on paper since being in the Premier League, but think they do need more goalscoring options. Maupay is a good striker who has a lot to his game, but can see Brighton being too reliant on him for goals.
Agree, that's why we're after Darwin Nunez, but at the moment it looks like we might be in a bidding match with Wolfsberg.
 

Nickelodeon

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Apparently Dan Ashworth, Tony Bloom and Graham Potter work very closely together to plan and identify targets.

Dan Ashworth has been brilliant for us and his ideas on squad development and youth align very closely with Potter's, he was instrumental in Potter's appointment, and oversees much of our business. He was head of elite development with the FA before he joined us in 2018 and was linked to you guys for the DoF post before joining us as technical director.
I like it when clubs operate in a planned manner and Brighton look like they do. There are no guarantees that it would succeed but at least the planning for the next season began early on and the recruits were also identified quickly to give maximum time to gel together.

This is exactly what I feel is wrong with the current United structure. We can say that we've identified Sancho and it was always going to be a tough deal but what about other positions?! Everything originally was being pushed towards the season end which now seems to be end of the transfer window.

Sorry for digressing but couldn't help it.
 

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Interesting OP, I enjoy these threads by our oppo fans on their club and what to expect going into the next season. Enjoyed your thread last year too and hearing about the changes at Brighton. I think it looks like it could be a promising year where you can push on a bit more and forget about worrying about a relegation scrap, that will be excellent progress.

Might start one about Everton later this week.
 

DWelbz19

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Dunk and White sounds like a really solid CB pairing — assuming White is as good as the hype. Probably about as good as team outside the top 8 or so can really get.
 

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@The Boy How often did Brighton use a back 3 last season? Seems mad that a team like Brighton can have a £20m defender sat on the bench
 

The Boy

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@The Boy How often did Brighton use a back 3 last season? Seems mad that a team like Brighton can have a £20m defender sat on the bench
We change formation every 5 minutes under Potter, sometimes we’ll start with a back 4 and then switch during the game. This quote from holding midfield sums it up well
Brighton are more difficult to analyse than most other teams largely due to Potter’s constant changes of formation. Brighton have started in a 4-4-2, a 3-4-3, a 4-2-3-1, a 3-4-1-2, a 4-3-1-2, a 4-3-3, a 3-5-2, a 4-3-2-1 and a 3-5-1-1 this season, often choosing completely different shapes for defending and attacking, and regularly alter those shapes over the course of a game. Attempts to pin Brighton down into any one framework is pointless because they will change it as soon as you do.
But a back three is not rare for us at all.
 

The Boy

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Interesting OP, I enjoy these threads by our oppo fans on their club and what to expect going into the next season. Enjoyed your thread last year too and hearing about the changes at Brighton. I think it looks like it could be a promising year where you can push on a bit more and forget about worrying about a relegation scrap, that will be excellent progress.

Might start one about Everton later this week.
You should do, I really enjoy writing about the season and it’s great to look back in to see how your opinions have changed as the weeks go by. Also it’s really useful when other people do it about other teams. I’ve learnt a lot from reading fan views about different teams .
 

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Like your signings already. Easier said than done but get 20 + games out of Lallana and he can make a difference and Veltman for about a million seems a good pick up.

Really stacked in defence aswell, interesting if Ben White gets in ahead of Webster or Burn.

Any word on a striker? Maupay did o.k last season but just about got into double figures. I like Connolly aswell but generally it's a front 3 that hesitate infront of goal a lot so you spurn decent openings and the other team then go up and score at other end (Palace home game sticks out as classic example of that).

Another season where Brighton will comfortably avoid relegation, see if you can sneak into top half.
 

The Boy

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Any word on a striker? Maupay did o.k last season but just about got into double figures. I like Connolly aswell but generally it's a front 3 that hesitate infront of goal a lot so you spurn decent openings and the other team then go up and score at other end (Palace home game sticks out as classic example of that).
Apparently we’re after a striker from Almeira called Darwin Nunez. Some reports have us bidding 18 million, others say a 20 million bid has been accepted, others that Wolfsburg is trying to outbid us, so we’ll, but we’re definitely looking to add another striker.
 

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Nearly had heart failure when I saw you had signed Dendoncker, then realised its his kid brother, do you see him playing in the first team or u23s
 

The Boy

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Nearly had heart failure when I saw you had signed Dendoncker, then realised its his kid brother, do you see him playing in the first team or u23s
Definitely under 23s and I'm not sure why it's in the transfer tweets now as we signed him about 4 weeks ago :lol:
 

The Boy

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Shame to see him go, but not unexpected. Apparently we let him go for next to nothing as he is 29 and needs 1st team football which he won't get at Brighton now Lamptey has that position tied down. But classy move by the club, Montoya did well for us filling in after Bruno retired and is probably the only former Champions League winner to line up for us!
 

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Great thread!

I hadn't noticed you signed Lallana and Veltman, that's very nice. What's the plan with Veltman? I see you expect him to be on the bench, but given that he was a regular at Ajax and in the Dutch nation team, I don't suppose he joined you in the expectation that he'd be a substitute?
 

The Boy

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Great thread!

I hadn't noticed you signed Lallana and Veltman, that's very nice. What's the plan with Veltman? I see you expect him to be on the bench, but given that he was a regular at Ajax and in the Dutch nation team, I don't suppose he joined you in the expectation that he'd be a substitute?
I only expect him to on the bench for our opener, during the season I think he will be rotated on and off the bench. Potter's style means it is very difficult to nail down a favourite 1st XI as we chop and change our players and formation every game and often during games.

Now Montoya has gone, Veltman will offer back up to Lamptey at RB. With Duffy expected to leave as well and Clarke to probably go back on loan that leaves us with 4 other CBs Dunk, White, Webster and Burn. Given that Burn normally gets shifted out to the LB position and we often play with a back 3, I expect that Veltman will get plenty of playing time.

Glad you like the thread!
 

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I only expect him to on the bench for our opener, during the season I think he will be rotated on and off the bench. Potter's style means it is very difficult to nail down a favourite 1st XI as we chop and change our players and formation every game and often during games.

Now Montoya has gone, Veltman will offer back up to Lamptey at RB. With Duffy expected to leave as well and Clarke to probably go back on loan that leaves us with 4 other CBs Dunk, White, Webster and Burn. Given that Burn normally gets shifted out to the LB position and we often play with a back 3, I expect that Veltman will get plenty of playing time.

Glad you like the thread!
Ok, interesting. Pretty cool if Potter can change things up so easily.
 

The Boy

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Andy Naylor has always been a good reliable source on Brighton from his days at the Argus to the The Athletic, so really pleased to him reporting White will sign a new contract.
 

Adam-Utd

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Just seen Mooy has gone to China? bit of a surprise that I thought he's been a good player over the last few years.
 

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Gah, Australia's one good outfield player in a top league and he's gone to China ffs.

If they've given him a big enough offer I can see why he's accepted it, having played most of his professional career earning A-League and Championship money. But surely you'd rather play in England? With the name he's made for himself, I'd have thought he had one more decent contract in him somewhere.
 

The Boy

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Just seen Mooy has gone to China? bit of a surprise that I thought he's been a good player over the last few years.
I was surprised to see him go to, but we made a profit on it, he wants regular first team football and with the arrival of Lallana and Mac Allister, Potter won't guarantee that. So I guess for the last part of his career (he's 29) he's decided to make some real cash in China, fair enough, I'll miss him as I always rated him and he worked his socks off for us.
 

The Boy

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Great news


Also good news, glad Glenn Murray leaves on good terms for his loan and Duffy has his dream move with a loan to Celtic. Big day of Albion announcements!
 

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Great news


Also good news, glad Glenn Murray leaves on good terms for his loan and Duffy has his dream move with a loan to Celtic. Big day of Albion announcements!
I read that second tweet still thinking it was about Ben White - "Legend status" - I thought you'd gone all Birmingham City
 

The Boy

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I read that second tweet still thinking it was about Ben White - "Legend status" - I thought you'd gone all Birmingham City
No mate, White isn't legend status yet, though I'm sure we'll see posters describing him as world class/generational talent soon!

Murray though is a bit of a legend at Brighton even though it is soured by his leaving us for Palace in 2011, it'll take a bit to forgive that. He ran down his contract and then fecked off to our biggest rivals on a free. But to be fair he's done a lot for us over the years.
 

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No mate, White isn't legend status yet, though I'm sure we'll see posters describing him as world class/generational talent soon!
I’m looking forward to seeing how Ben White does this season after he did so well for us at Leeds. He’s got a good future in the game. Good luck to the lad.
 

The Boy

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So we've had our two pre season friendlies, one against Chelsea 1-1 and against West Brom 0-0. Not to worried about the scores, but we desperately need a new striker. Now Glenn Murray has gone we only have two recognised strikers in Maupay and Connolly. One injury and we are in trouble. We were heavily linked with Darwin Nunez from Almeira and bid 25M apparently but he has gone to Benefica. Desperately hopeful for two more players before the window shuts, a striker and a left back, watch this space.....
 
Brighton 4 Portsmouth 0

The Boy

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I missed the opener against Chelsea as I was away and had no internet connection, but apparently we played well despite the loss and to be fair, though you always hope, I didnt expect us to beat them.

I did watch the cup game last night against Portsmouth though. We should be beating them of course, but the way we did it was a joy to watch. open quick progressive football and three different players scoring their first goals for the club. Nice to see Gyokeres scoring, he is a Swedish 22 year old striker who was on loan last season in Germany and did well by all accounts. Mac Allister also got his first goal for the club and big things are expected of him now he is settling into life in the UK. But for me the man of the match was Jahanbaksh, he has really struggled since arriving two years ago, but his goal was stunning, his assist for Mac Allister's header was nicely taken as well. Genuinely think we have some real depth in this squad now, the only positions I worry about are those laid out in the OP, striker and LB with striker being the priority. Still we have a few weeks left in the transfer window so my hopes are high, though we've been priced out of two deals for two strikers so far, Olly Watkins and Darwin Nunez - so I have no idea who we might bring in now, though we are apparently waiting to see if Liverpool will loan out Rhian Brewster, who might be interesting, though I worry he is overhyped a bit, but to be fair I haven't seen much of him so I could be completely wrong.

Still Newcastle next and feeling positive about that!
 

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Thought you played well against Chelsea mate, Lamptey looks a very good pick up. I know Potter likes to put the ball at risk but I do get a bit frustrated at some of the needless goals you give away at times, and that's as a Palace fan! Giving away cheap goals makes this league so much harder to survive in.

Shame about Lallana as well, do you know how long he's out for? And did you see how heavily both his legs were strapped before the game?! That would concern me quite a bit.

Finally, transfers. You think the money is there to sign that striker? I am still expecting you to go big on one towards the end of the window, can't see Bloom stopping at some cheap defenders and Lallana on a free transfer unless COVID really has fecked the finances. We've heard a lot of bluster in the press about Benrahma coming to Palace but AFAIK Brewster is the priority target for us as well, so that'll be interesting.
 

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I missed the opener against Chelsea as I was away and had no internet connection, but apparently we played well despite the loss and to be fair, though you always hope, I didnt expect us to beat them.

I did watch the cup game last night against Portsmouth though. We should be beating them of course, but the way we did it was a joy to watch. open quick progressive football and three different players scoring their first goals for the club. Nice to see Gyokeres scoring, he is a Swedish 22 year old striker who was on loan last season in Germany and did well by all accounts. Mac Allister also got his first goal for the club and big things are expected of him now he is settling into life in the UK. But for me the man of the match was Jahanbaksh, he has really struggled since arriving two years ago, but his goal was stunning, his assist for Mac Allister's header was nicely taken as well. Genuinely think we have some real depth in this squad now, the only positions I worry about are those laid out in the OP, striker and LB with striker being the priority. Still we have a few weeks left in the transfer window so my hopes are high, though we've been priced out of two deals for two strikers so far, Olly Watkins and Darwin Nunez - so I have no idea who we might bring in now, though we are apparently waiting to see if Liverpool will loan out Rhian Brewster, who might be interesting, though I worry he is overhyped a bit, but to be fair I haven't seen much of him so I could be completely wrong.

Still Newcastle next and feeling positive about that!
They were definitely unlucky against Chelsea. Controlled the game for long periods but silly mistakes cost them.

My main concern for Brighton is always the same - a real lack of cutting edge at the top end of the pitch.

They can play some tidy stuff and have a lot of good technical players, but there's no real creativity from the midfield. It's what made Murray such a gem for them; he'd bag a fair few goals from very little chances created for him.

Looks like they've really tried to address that though with players like Lallana and the unproven, but highly rated, MacAllister. And I agree, you need a LB to match Lampteys offensive ambition (Burn can't keep playing out of position there) and a striker to either add depth or become the clinical edge up front that's lacking. Although, Gyokeres looked decent last night. Can't see him scoring many but he looked a good physical presence, might offer them a different dimension when needed.
 

The Boy

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Thought you played well against Chelsea mate, Lamptey looks a very good pick up. I know Potter likes to put the ball at risk but I do get a bit frustrated at some of the needless goals you give away at times, and that's as a Palace fan! Giving away cheap goals makes this league so much harder to survive in.

Shame about Lallana as well, do you know how long he's out for? And did you see how heavily both his legs were strapped before the game?! That would concern me quite a bit.

Finally, transfers. You think the money is there to sign that striker? I am still expecting you to go big on one towards the end of the window, can't see Bloom stopping at some cheap defenders and Lallana on a free transfer unless COVID really has fecked the finances. We've heard a lot of bluster in the press about Benrahma coming to Palace but AFAIK Brewster is the priority target for us as well, so that'll be interesting.
Lallana should have been back in training this week apparently but not back in time for the Newcastle game, Potter has said we have to be very careful of him, I suddenly miss Aaron Mooy quite a bit!

As for Brewster seems Sheffield United are in for him as well.
 

The Boy

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They were definitely unlucky against Chelsea. Controlled the game for long periods but silly mistakes cost them.

My main concern for Brighton is always the same - a real lack of cutting edge at the top end of the pitch.

They can play some tidy stuff and have a lot of good technical players, but there's no real creativity from the midfield. It's what made Murray such a gem for them; he'd bag a fair few goals from very little chances created for him.

Looks like they've really tried to address that though with players like Lallana and the unproven, but highly rated, MacAllister. And I agree, you need a LB to match Lampteys offensive ambition (Burn can't keep playing out of position there) and a striker to either add depth or become the clinical edge up front that's lacking. Although, Gyokeres looked decent last night. Can't see him scoring many but he looked a good physical presence, might offer them a different dimension when needed.
You're absolutely right about the cutting edge up front, we desperately need someone else. Maupay and Connolly should both improve this season, but I'd feel alot more comfy with someone else there as well and as much as I like him Gyokeres is not the man yet, though again you're right about him offering something different and shaking up defences a bit when we're struggling for a goal.
 

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I think Potter's doing a nice job here. They look like a really well coached team. I like their 3 cbs, their 3 cms (Trossard, Alzate and Bissouma) are impressive, the width provided from Lamptey and March is good.
 

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Got a feeling they're going to be the new hipster premier league club this season. Certainly got plenty of good technical players in their first 11 now.