With the Premier League season eleven games in, Brighton have started the season really well. They currently sit 8th in the table, just a point off the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal and are the best performing promoted side, with them being above both Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town.
One of the keys to this start have been the lack of goals the Seagulls have conceded. They have only conceded eleven in their first eleven games. This lack of goals conceded has been down to a solid defence and in particular the centre-back partnership of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.
The pair have received praise from Jermaine Jenas last month on Match Of The Day 2 after their draw against Southampton. Jenas said the following about Dunk and Duffy: “I’m a big fan. They really have got everything, honestly. We’re talking about big lads that are 6’4”, we expect them to be the ‘bullish’ kind of centre-halves, they can do that, but they can also do these lovely little dinked passes to their wingers.
“It’s a big part of the way they play, thanks to the confidence Chris Hughton gives them. With all due respect, these are passes that 6’4” centre-halves are not supposed to be playing. They’ve got a real nice touch and feel for the ball and, defensive qualities, yes, but the quality on the ball is really impressive also.
“Duffy & Dunk Fan Club, I’m there, yeah. ”
It’s not just Jenas who has praised the pair, former Liverpool and England Centre half Jamie Carragher had his say on Sky Sports before Brighton 3-0 victory over West Ham last month at the Olympic Stadium. Carragher said: “Vital in the air, that’s Duffy, he’s more of the commanding one in the air, a young player that came through at Everton.
“We don’t see enough of this in the Premier League now, we want a lot more from our centre-backs, that’s the way the game is going, but there’s nothing better for me in the role that I played to see defenders defend like this, and want to defend. Doing everything they can to stop that ball going into the back of the net.
“A lot of their success will be built on those two centre-backs. If they are going to stay in the league they need to keep them fit, and if they perform they are going to give Brighton a fighting chance.”
This high praise is backed up with both featuring in the top five on the most blocks in the Premier League on the Premier Leagues official website. Lewis Dunk is number one making 19 blocks so far this season. Duffy is fifth with 15 blocks so far this season.
Looking at what fans have said so far this season and speaking to some of them, they say Dunk and Duffy are the best centre half partnership we have had and are up there with the best in the league this season so far.
Both are showing what great centre halves they are. Duffy is now a regular starter for the Republic Of Ireland and if they win on Tuesday, he could be playing in the World Cup next summer. So far, Lewis Dunk has failed to receive an England call-up but with the way he has been playing it is only a matter of time.
One thing is for sure, the future looks bright for the pair and for Brighton with them at the heart of the defence especially with both men being on the young side with Duffy and Dunk being only 25.
