Brighton were finally able to secure their first league victory of 2019 after Florin Andone’s header in the 79th minute proved enough to push the hosts past a desperate Huddersfield.
Both teams’ display at the Amex would be best described as labored as both teams struggled to create anything positive in the first half. Huddersfield in particular found it difficult going forward, and while the hosts did not fare much better, Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s beautiful strike late in the first half almost managed to break the deadlock before pinging off the crossbar.
It was clear from the Seagull’s second-half performance that Hughton had used the interval to remind his team of where they stood in the table. A much more determined Brighton emerged in the second half, and efforts from Jahanbakhsh and Andone almost bested Jonathan Lossl; however, the goalkeeper did enough to keep his team in the match.
The introduction of Jose Izquierdo ensured that the hosts would continue applying pressure, and their efforts were indeed rewarded as a play between the Colombian and Knockaert ended with the Frenchman crossing to Andone whose powerful header proved too much for Lossl. Although Huddersfield looked to answer with a goal of their own, no such goal would come, and Mounie’s late attempt with a header was well saved by Mat Ryan.
Although not entirely convincing, Hughton will be relieved to see his team revitalized and encouraged by this crucial win.
Huddersfield remain unconvincing and lacking in confidence
Wolves are no pushovers, and their tidy win over Cardiff this weekend was an absolute masterclass that displayed their potency in attack and their skill in defense, yet this same team lost to Huddersfield on Tuesday. While not impressive, the win was a positive for Huddersfield and exactly what they needed to bounce back from their recent demoralised form. A draw with Brighton seemed reasonable if not a surety considering the Seagull’s recent falterings, but it seems the Terriers forgot all about their midweek form during their visit to the South Coast.
Indeed, the football displayed by the visitors was as dull to watch as it was ineffective. There would be no late goal to save them in this match, and the team simply buckled under pressure as Brighton piled on players in attack. For large portions of the match it seemed Huddersfield had come to the Amex with no plan at all; in fact, their play suggested just that.
It was all rather unconvincing, and frankly, it was heartbreaking to watch a team put forward their best football only for it to be a hopeless stringing of passes which they hoped would end in a goal. If this is the best Huddersfield has to offer, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest it is, they will undoubtedly have relegation waiting for them at the end of the season.
Brighton still not in the clear
Florin Andone looked as if he was about to explode after giving his team the lead, erupting with emotion after scoring, and while there is plenty of reason for Hughton and his team to celebrate, they must remember it is not even close to being over. What the hosts displayed was merely enough, and the three points must not muddle their judgement. The performance was pedestrian, and the Seagull’s have much more work to do as was evidenced by their wasted chances in the second half.
Goals have not come easy for Brighton this season, and it seems the task only becomes more difficult as the season drags on – Hughton must inculcate the desire to push forward and attack. That vicious determination his team showed in the second half is something the Englishman must ask more often of his team. Brighton have all the tools to succeed — good players and a winning mentality — and Hughton must remind his team of what they are capable of especially in desperate moments such as the one they are currently in.
It can easily go wrong for Brighton as they do not seem entirely convinced of themselves, and until they do they will continue to struggle. For the moment, they remain close to the drop, and they cannot afford to rest now.
What next for Huddersfield?
What now? That is the question that is likely making its rounds amongst the Huddersfield players. A doomed fate appears inevitable, and Siewart and everyone else at the John Smith’s Stadium are undoubtedly aware of this painful realization. The Terriers trail Southampton by 13 points and it would require a miracle and no small amount of luck to save Huddersfield at this moment in time.
There is of course — as there is in most cases — the slight chance of salvation, and this sliver of hope is what Siewart and Huddersfield must hold fast to. Last season, West Brom almost escaped relegation through sheer will, and while the Baggies are now playing in the Championship, many looked on in admiration as they saw the team battle to retain their place in the Premier League. The Terriers should seek to emulate that same determination and optimism regardless of what the numbers and probability suggest.
Relegation may be inevitable, and things at Huddersfield may be fractured as rumors swirl of Jason Puncheon having a fallout with Siewart; but the Terriers cannot stop fighting now. They may not escape relegation, but they still have the chance to make their fans proud while also gaining the respect of all those who see a team that is unwilling to accept a fate that seems set in stone.
Hughton needs to sort out his front three
Solly March, Jurgen Locadia, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Glenn Murray, Pascal Groß, Jose Izquierdo, Anthony Knockaert, and Florin Andone are all at Hughton’s disposal. All of these players have something to offer this team, but the problem is Hughton does not seem to know what these players have to offer as he has still not found a winning combination.
It’s particularly disconcerting that Brighton have spent so much money on Jahanbakhsh and Locadia, but neither has managed to display the form they showed in the Eredivisie. Whether this a matter of adaptation or being played in the wrong role or both is not entirely clear, but what is clear is that Hughton must do better. These players would likely walk into most squads outside of the top six and be able to make an impact, but it takes a manager that knows how to use his players.
As for the rest of the squad, Knockaert provides a great example of an in-form player that can provide assists but was left on the bench too long for another out of form player, in this case, Solly March. Had Hughton used the Frenchman earlier who knows what might have happened in previous matches? The point here is Hughton must be able to balance and know when to use or bench his attacking players.
The abundance of options seems to be confusing things for the Englishman, and although options are good, football is about finding the winning combination among the options available.
