Sam Morton and Henry Bryant look at Brighton's season and the impact of not qualifying for Europe.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Welcome to another episode of the Goalmouth Action Podcast, where we take a look back at Brighton Hove Albion's season after they narrowly missed out on qualifying for Europe.
00:08I'm Sam Morton, and this week I'm joined by Brighton Hove Albion supporter and fellow Sussex World writer Henry Bryant.
00:14You can read all the stories we are talking about with videos and pictures online at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sports,
00:20and you can check out other great videos on shotstv.com and Freeview Channel 262.
00:25You may also be watching latest TV, so thank you for tuning in.
00:28So Henry, first of all, how would you sum this season up for Brighton?
00:33Well, I think overall the way that Brighton ended wasn't the way that fans would have liked it to have ended because we didn't get into Europe.
00:42But, I mean, it was our second highest finish ever in the Premier League, and I think for his first season, Fabian Hursler did a commendable job.
00:51I know the expectation on him was to secure European football, especially spending over £200 million in the summer.
01:01And, I mean, when he did come in, he had a basically perfect start to the season.
01:05I mean, first month in the Premier League, and he gets the Manager of the Month award in August for his efforts.
01:10And I'll be a thump Everton in that first game, 3-0 away.
01:16And that takes some doing.
01:18I mean, we've seen Everton be a bogey team to Brighton in the past.
01:22And, I mean, their 5-1 that we saw in May 2023 when De Zerbe was at the wheel for Brighton.
01:27I mean, it was a big test and actually quite a pivotal first game of the season to actually challenge Fabian and see how he would react to this game.
01:37Because it's a really tricky test, a really, really tricky test.
01:42But there were a few periods in the season where Brighton went two periods without a win in six games.
01:51And those were some big turning points in terms of the ruthlessness that Brighton just didn't have at points.
01:59And giving away leads at the end of games was quite a familiar theme in some of those winless runs.
02:05So, I think there's a lot to build up from.
02:08There's a lot that Fabian can use to his advantage in his second season as a Premier League manager.
02:15And I know that a lot of Brighton fans have been a bit gutted at the fact that there's going to be no Conference League or Europa League to look forward to.
02:24But I think it might be a blessing in disguise, excuse me, a blessing in disguise because Brighton can develop their players and bolster themselves.
02:34And maybe focus on the Cups, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup and trying to get a result in that.
02:41We've seen Crystal Palace win a Cup this season.
02:44And there's no reason Brighton can't push on and do something like that themselves next season because they'll have all the time in the world to do it.
02:51And, yeah, overall, I think it's a fairly comfortable season and a fairly decent season for Brighton and Fabian.
02:59I think he's done all right, despite the critics.
03:02100%.
03:02And I mean, Fabian Hensler himself has said that eighth place is a great achievement.
03:07Obviously, they beat the Europa League winnings Tottenham on the final day of the season in some style, the 4-1 win.
03:13And it was just obviously due to other results on the day that meant that Brighton, unfortunately, didn't qualify for Europe.
03:19But Hensler said he judges the season his way and they face adversity and challenges, but they've stuck together.
03:25He can judge it in the right way and he's really proud of the team, the staff and the whole club.
03:29We didn't reach Europe.
03:30We can't influence other results.
03:31He thinks it's a great achievement and we can be proud.
03:33But things to improve and we know that's the challenge for next season and we're looking forward to it.
03:37So, Henry, just what have you made of Hensler and his style of play?
03:41And obviously, we know he's beaten some of the biggest clubs in the league.
03:45He perhaps followed that Brighton trend of dropping points in games that you shouldn't do.
03:50And that ultimately has cost Brighton a place in the European competition next season.
03:55But he's really impressed though, hasn't he?
03:57I mean, I know he has divided opinion and there's been some shouts for him to leave, particularly after that 7-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest.
04:05And they obviously were beaten by Forest in the FA Cup quarterfinal in a pretty disappointing performance.
04:10There's been a few bad, bad moments in the season, but on the whole, it's been pretty good, isn't it?
04:15Yeah, I think that the fact that he is the youngest permanent Premier League manager in history,
04:22whatever you do is going to come with an extreme of either success or failure in terms of what the fans think of you.
04:30And as you mentioned, that 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, we sort of needed a result there as well, just to sort of boost morale.
04:38And then it was a real slippery slope during that game.
04:42Brighton looked like a championship team, really.
04:46They looked full of, I mean, out of ideas, I should say.
04:49But in terms of substitutes, I've got to say, especially at this end of the season, Fabian's been really effective.
04:58I mean, if we look at the Liverpool game and we just look at the way that Brighton have been able to sort of come back from games
05:07and game management is something we still need to focus on, but it's something that he is getting better at.
05:13And his substitutions sort of near this end of the season have impressed me.
05:17And the way that we're trying to see out games has been even better.
05:23So I think on the whole, with the fact that he's had a lot of adversity and especially during that Christmas period,
05:30there was some real tricky times for Brighton.
05:34And I remember him even saying to us when we were at sort of like a nice sort of Christmas do with the album that he was really struggling.
05:43It was his, you know, it was one of the most difficult moments in his career.
05:47So I think he's done really well to fight and sort of challenge himself, not only the players, but challenge himself to come out of that.
05:55And I think that he can hold his head high because there's a lot to look forward to for next season.
06:02And who knows what that will bring.
06:04But I will say this, I think that Brighton fans do expect Europe in the season to come.
06:10I think that that's going to be a really important goal because we know what it's like to be there.
06:16We know what it's like to, you know, top a group.
06:18So we would like to get back there and perform at the highest levels in Europe if we can.
06:26But what do you think, Sam?
06:28I'm interested to know from your side, because, you know, you cover Brighton loads.
06:34You do a lot of the match day reports.
06:36So for you, someone that's not necessarily a Brighton supporter, looking on the outside a little bit out of sort of the emotions of supporting a club.
06:45What's it been like?
06:46Yeah, no, I think it's been a really good season.
06:49And obviously, I've come from Brighton for a few years now with lots of different managers.
06:53I think it started with Chris Hewton and obviously then Graham Potter and Roberta De Serbi and now with Fabian Hertzen.
06:59They're all very different characters and they've all been brilliant in their own different ways.
07:03And they've obviously all had their flaws as well.
07:05They've all had individual issues to iron out.
07:08And it's been really interesting seeing Fabian come in this season and taking over the reins from De Serbi, who obviously achieved greatness and history for Brighton at the end of the day.
07:18And he was a really popular figure at the club.
07:21There was a lot of sadness when he left.
07:23And there was obviously talks of perhaps a disagreement with the owners about what was going to come next and the money available for transfers.
07:31And it was all a bit uncertain.
07:33So Hertzen has come in at a difficult time, really, obviously with big, big shoes to fill.
07:38And he really did hit the ground running, really.
07:41And I know we've obviously discussed a few poor results here and there and some bad runs of form and dropped points against teams they really shouldn't have been dropping points to.
07:50And obviously the 7-0 against Forest is a really low moment.
07:54But I think the way they bounced back from that was superb.
07:57And they actually had a great run of form after that Forest game.
08:00And it all led up to that FA Cup quarterfinal where everything was looking really good.
08:04Potentially an FA Cup trip to Wembley was on the horizon as well as a potential European place.
08:09And everything was looking really great.
08:11And obviously it did take a bit of a tumble from that point of view, knocked out the FA Cup.
08:15And Europe, for a while, did look completely out of the question.
08:18So Brighton did well, actually, to get themselves back into the running for Europe.
08:22And it was obviously only other results elsewhere that affected them in the end.
08:26And to finish 8th place after the season and the injuries they've had as well.
08:30Brighton had some big injuries to contend with.
08:33Obviously, Jorginho Rutter, I think we're going to discuss a bit more later on in terms of the signings that have impressed us.
08:38But his injury was a big one in that Forest Cup game.
08:42Same with Adam Webster, who was really on a good run of form when he got injured.
08:46And those two injuries, I think, really did impact Brighton for a long period of time towards the end of the season.
08:52And I think next season, some more signings.
08:54I know we're probably expecting a few to leave, as we come to expect with Brighton.
08:58But we know that they really plan ahead and they know what to do in the transfer market to make sure they're ready for the new season.
09:06So, yeah, I think I'm satisfied with what I've seen from Hudson this season, from a journalist's point of view.
09:12I'm looking forward to another season with him, really.
09:16But, yeah, I was just going to ask, as a next question, really, what have your highlights been from the season?
09:20What was kind of your favourite results?
09:23In terms of results, it's one of those ones where I feel like for Brighton, that 3-2 win right at the end of the season.
09:32I know that Liverpool have been at O'Beach, or at least Arnest Slott's been at O'Beach, living La Vida Loca.
09:39But I think that that was a really positive result.
09:42I think that the way Brighton were able to get that and also fight back.
09:48It was a game where Brighton showed their true colours.
09:50They can fight back.
09:51They can manage a game and they can actually get a result.
09:55I know it was a weakened Liverpool team that had already won the league, but I thought that was an important result to get sort of just to end the season on a high.
10:03I also think in terms of results, that the first result, that 3-0 on the first game of the season, I think that really set a precedent.
10:13And I remember, yeah, that first game, that was fantastic.
10:19I think the way that Brighton were able to come into that was really positive, really, really positive.
10:25And then, if I'm not mistaken, we beat Chelsea twice, didn't we? Once in the Cup.
10:31Yeah, twice in a week.
10:33Yeah, and I know it's not just one result, but those two results back-to-back, especially with the feud that Brighton and Chelsea have,
10:41just with the fact that they keep on nicking our best players, was really good.
10:45It was really, really good.
10:47And I remember being in the sort of mixed zone where all the players come out of the tunnel and sort of get changed in the other room and then they leave.
10:55And I remember seeing all those Chelsea faces just gutted.
10:58And as a Brighton fan, that filled me with joy.
11:01So I really enjoyed that.
11:04That was great.
11:04That was great.
11:05So Fabian has provided fans with some really good results.
11:09And I mean, even in the top six, our record's been pretty damn good.
11:13Yeah, they've beat Man City, haven't they?
11:15They've beat Man City, obviously, at home, got the draw away.
11:18They didn't lose against Arsenal this season.
11:21So yeah, there's been some really great results.
11:23And you think Newcastle as well, obviously, they got their draw at home recently and they also came back to winning the FA Cup against them.
11:28That's one that really stands out in my mind, actually, was coming back to beat Newcastle at St James' Park.
11:34And I don't think a lot gave them much hope for that game, especially after they obviously went a goal down.
11:40Yankouba Minter equalising against his former team.
11:43And then Fabian Scher seemed to score a last-minute winner to break Brighton hearts.
11:47And if disallowed, went to extra time.
11:49And Danny Welbeck, who really has been one of the stories of the season as well, and we'll get on to him.
11:54So I think that, for me, is one of the standard results.
11:57But it's been a few, isn't it?
11:58It's been a really, really good season.
12:01So we're going to take a short break now.
12:03When we return, we'll preview Brighton's 25-26 season and look at some of the transfers that might be happening.
12:10So welcome back to the Goal Math Action podcast.
12:15So, Henry, we've obviously discussed a little bit about how the season has gone.
12:19So just next, could you just tell me what signings have really kind of impressed you?
12:24Before we look ahead to possible signings, just tell me who out of the signings from last summer have really kind of stepped up
12:32and who are you looking forward to seeing more from this next season?
12:36Well, I think Yankouba Minte, signing from Newcastle, his parent club,
12:41but actually doing really well at Feyenoord for £30 million in July, back in July.
12:47He's just got such a high energy and a burst of pace that has been really exciting to watch.
12:55He's another winger, sort of similar in characteristic to the likes of Matoma, where he's just got that raw power and energy.
13:04He's not got quite the same skill yet, but I think he can develop that.
13:09And I mean, he didn't get his goal and assist target, as he mentioned in the last game of the Premier League campaign,
13:16after Brighton beat Spurs, because he got six goals and four assists when he wanted to actually get 10 goals.
13:22But he has been quite a standout performer of the bunch.
13:26Another one that's worth mentioning, and I know we've spoken about him a lot, but Jorginho Arruta,
13:32I think just the way that he's been able to play, I know he's been out a little bit,
13:38but the way he's been able to boost morale, and I mean, even on Brighton's social media pages,
13:42you can just see the personality that he brings into the dressing room,
13:46and having such a positive, likeable character like that, I think really can boost a squad,
13:51especially in periods where you're down in the dumps, or you need something to lift you up.
13:58But he's been really impressive, and he's one that is going to be a massive, massive impact for next season.
14:07And a special mention has to be to Brian Gruder.
14:09And I mean, he's sort of struggled to get into the team at times, but I think that his technicality
14:16and the way that he's been able to get himself in the right positions,
14:20especially in this sort of last quarter of the season, has been fantastic.
14:25I think that he's going to be the engine for the team next season,
14:29and he sort of reminds me of a more attacking Pascal Gross in some senses.
14:33He's got a little bit more technical flair than Pascal Gross.
14:36And if he builds his engine, then he's going to become a proper regular starter for the Albion,
14:42someone that you cannot move out of that starting 11th place.
14:47But yeah, who stood out for you?
14:49I know that we haven't seen as much of Ferdi Cadioglu as we might have seen.
14:53Also, Matt O'Reilly's had a bit of a mixed season as well.
14:57So yeah, what do you think about who Brighton have signed?
15:00Yeah, no, I think it's a strange one, isn't it?
15:02Because there's lots of injuries.
15:03Cadioglu missed a lot of the season.
15:05Matt O'Reilly missed a lot of football.
15:09Did not know who else was signing after the injury against Crawley Town.
15:12So it's been difficult for them to really settle down after getting injuries in their first season.
15:19So Cadioglu especially will be like a new signing next season when he comes back,
15:24which is a real positive because there was real glimpses of what he can do.
15:27He's obviously very versatile and he can help all around the pitch.
15:30So he'll be a real plus next season if he can stay fit.
15:34Obviously, you've mentioned Brian Gruder, who I've really, really enjoyed watching.
15:38And Jorginho Rous has been my standout.
15:40But Diego Gomez as well.
15:42He obviously came in in January and has really impressed me.
15:45I think even in his very early performances, he just looked like the best player on the pitch.
15:50And he obviously scored his first goal against Spurs on the last day.
15:53And it was such a brilliant strike and just really shows what he can do.
15:57And I think some of the passes we've seen from him and the assists and stuff like that,
16:01I think there's a lot more to come from him.
16:02Obviously, we know he's played with Lionel Messi.
16:04He's learned from the best in that sense.
16:07And there'll be lots more to come.
16:09And yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing how those players develop next season, really.
16:15So, yeah, it's an interesting one.
16:17But in terms of signings coming in, Henry, can you tell us what action's been done so far?
16:23Yeah, so the big one so far has to be Tom Watson.
16:28He's signed for the Seagulls for a reported £10 million price tag.
16:33And that deal is going to run until June 2029.
16:36It's another promising talent that Brighton have been able to snap up.
16:39And the fact that he scored the winning goal in stoppage time to send Sunderland up in the championship playoff finals against Sheffield United at the age he is at, at 19 years old, is fantastic.
16:52And I mean, he was full of joy, full of celebration during a quite sweary interview afterwards.
16:58But how could you blame him?
17:01It's, you know, it's one of the most expensive goals or maybe the most expensive goal he'll ever score for that £220 million price tag that, you know, the playoff final sort of awards you with all the sort of joys of the Premier League and all the TV rights and whatnot.
17:18So he's ended his time at the club, you know, from being there at six years old in the academy in the best possible fashion.
17:27It's a real fairytale moment for the club and for him.
17:30And he said afterwards that he'll see Sunderland up there with his team now, Brighton in the Premier League.
17:37So he's looking forward to that.
17:38He's looking forward to that.
17:39And I think that although he's made quite a few appearances this season, he's made 21 appearances.
17:44He's only scored three goals.
17:46So I wouldn't be surprised if he's a squad rotation player, someone that the Albion may be used for cup games or coming off the bench to sort of pass the 70th minute to get him into the game, get him used to things.
17:59But, yeah, a real talent there, a real talent there in terms.
18:05Yeah, for sure.
18:06Sorry, I was going to say, yeah, obviously Brighton got centre back Olivier Boscalli as well from PSV Ironhoban.
18:12He's a centre back.
18:13They're signing on a free transfer.
18:15Obviously, he'll be coming in on a high after winning the Eredivisie title, a 27-year-old Frenchman.
18:21So that's an interesting signing as well.
18:24So you're looking forward to seeing what he can do.
18:25So obviously, centre back's been a real problem area for Brighton, as we've discussed.
18:29Obviously, Adam Webster's injury, Lewis Dunk's form hasn't been brilliant this season.
18:34Obviously, Jan-Paul Vanheck has been superb again.
18:37Igor's been in and out of the team due to injury.
18:40Obviously, you've got the full backs in and out due to injury as well.
18:42So it'll be interesting to see what business has done in a defensive point of view.
18:45I'm sure they'll be looking to add some more names into the defence this summer.
18:50But in terms of outgoings, we've got to discuss it.
18:53It could be that we see two big names leave this summer.
18:57Nothing concrete or confirmed as of yet.
19:00But there's lots of talks surrounding Karim Matoma and Jao Pedro.
19:06Matoma, obviously, as we know, is just a superb, superb player.
19:10Can change a game.
19:10He's come off the bench a few times recently and just changed games.
19:13And he's become a real fan favourite at Brighton.
19:15He's scored, obviously, the goal of the season, the matchday's goal of the season against Chelsea
19:19with that outrageous first touch before he slotted into the bottom corner.
19:24And let me discuss, obviously, Jao Pedro, who has been a brilliant servant to Brighton.
19:31One of the most reliable penalty takers in world football.
19:34And it would be a real shame to lose him as well.
19:37It's an unfortunate situation with that one.
19:40It could be that he leaves under a bit of a cloud after a training ground altercation with Jan-Paul Van Heck.
19:45And he hasn't featured since, missing the games against Liverpool and Spurs.
19:49So just on those two players, Henry, we know Matoma has been linked with Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
19:55Jao Pedro is linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United.
19:58And it's unsurprising, really, that some of the biggest clubs in the world will be after these two players, isn't it?
20:04Absolutely.
20:05I mean, that's Brighton's model, isn't it?
20:06Buying the players that have the highest potential and then selling them for the highest amount of money that they can get.
20:14And it's, you know, it's almost just another recycling process of how Brighton are able to snap up such great talent and, you know, flip them and make sure that they get the most profit possible.
20:27But Jao Pedro, in terms of leaving on a cloud, I think it's the most disappointing one, because I think that he does have a little bit of an attitude.
20:38We've seen him get sent off against Brentford for violent conduct.
20:42And I know that other clubs, in terms of interest, will probably see that.
20:48But they'll still be interested because of the attributes he's got.
20:52As you mentioned, he's such a cool, calm and composed penalty taker.
20:56And the way that he's able to, you know, nick in a last minute goal or he's able to use himself and create space is really impressive.
21:08And he's still only young.
21:10So he's going to be someone that probably sells for a good amount of money and goes to, you know, one of the highest.
21:17And I do think he'll end up playing Champions League football next season.
21:21I'm quite confident in that.
21:22I think that he probably is worthy of it.
21:25And I think that he could make quite a big impact.
21:29But whoever he goes to, I do think he'll end up being a sort of bench player at the start and then having to build into the team.
21:35And in terms of Karamatoma, as you mentioned as well, I think that's in terms of fans, that makes everyone's hearts break a little bit because of what a likable person he is.
21:46What a likable character he is, not just sort of off the ball, but on the ball.
21:51And his skill is just so silky, so spoof, so impressive.
21:56Everyone's mouth just, you know, dropped wide open when he's able to get that amazing acrobatic touch from, you know, all the way in the air up there.
22:06And he's provided us.
22:09Sorry, he's just got one of the best first touches in world football.
22:11Yeah, I mean, some of the moments he's been able to give us as Brighter fans or as me as a Brighter fan, you know, it's invaluable.
22:21So, you know, if he does go, which is the sort of rumour that he's going to be heading to Bayern Munich, then, you know, all respect to him.
22:30And you have to wish him well.
22:31I think the fact that Brighton didn't get Europe as well is probably the final nail in the coffin because the player of that calibre deserves it.
22:39And also, he's not getting any older as well.
22:41You know, he's not a young man anymore in terms of the footballing world.
22:45He's not in his early 20s.
22:47So, I think that in terms of opportunities, he'll be looking for his next one and everyone knows that he will get that chance.
22:56Yeah. And finally, just a word to Danny Welbeck, as we haven't discussed him.
23:01I feel like we need to in a season review as he's been superb, isn't he?
23:05Just getting better with age and has obviously broken his own goal scoring records this season.
23:10And it's just been, yeah, real, real top quality player throughout the season.
23:15And yeah, so just how much has he impressed you, Henry?
23:18And how important is it that the Brighton keep hold of him for hopefully the remainder of his career?
23:23Yeah, well, it's that guy well, because I think that 10 goals and four assists this season for a player like Danny Welbeck is really impressive.
23:33And he's been able to compete and break records at Brighton, you know, just with the length of time.
23:40He's been playing in the Premier League and he just ages like fine wine, doesn't he?
23:46He's really reliable, really, really reliable.
23:49And I think, fingers crossed, if he sort of maintains his fitness and he sort of doesn't get any scares during pre-season, I think he's going to be another massive player for the Albion.
24:01And it's really nice to have an older head in the training, in the sort of training as well, when having him sort of in the dressing room.
24:10Because I think that with the youth of the team, especially with the manager as well, you need some of those older heads that are just able to call people down when emotions run high, especially with football.
24:22And I think that just the way he's been able to conduct himself this season and just perform at the highest level still at the age of 34 years old is nothing short of remarkable.
24:36And fingers crossed, he goes till the age of 40, like Bruno did or around that sort of age.
24:42But, you know, we can't wish that, but we can hope.
24:48We can hope.
24:49Absolutely.
24:50That's great.
24:51Thank you for that, Henry.
24:51You can catch up with all the latest sports news covering everything we've talked about today at sussexworld.co.uk.
24:57And you can watch more excellent videos on shotstv.com and freebie channel 262.