Newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion are enjoying life in the Premier League. One of the lesser talked about teams; Brighton and Hove Albion have gone about doing their job quietly. They had gotten off to a decent start, so much so that they were in a lofty 8th place after 11 rounds of the league. However, even with things falling since, they have managed to cling on. For a club whose aim this season certainly will be to survive the relegation fight, they have done well.
After twenty-four-game weeks Brighton and Hove Albion find themselves in the 16th position on the table. They have played decent football so far in the league and have collected five crucial wins. After losing to Arsenal in the beginning of October last month, they were unbeaten for five matches.
However, latest results have left the club reeling for a turnaround. Just one win and 7 defeats in their last 12 matches mean that Brighton are free falling and need to find their form soon. The club’s biggest problem has been in front of goal with the Seagulls proving to be a goal-shy team. Last week’s club record signing seemed to have put an end to their manager Chris Hughton’s worries as they signed Dutch striker Jurgen Locadia for a club record fee.
With their winter business set, the manager would have been preparing for a challenge to stay up in the league. However, Hughton now has another transfer business to worry about with Fulham seeking to take away their midfielder Oliver Norwood on a permanent deal.
The 26-year-old has spent the season on loan at Craven Cottage scoring 5 goals from midfield. The Lilywhites are looking to add more quality to their midfield to challenge for a playoff position come May and were hoping to make the deal for Norwood permanent.
As for the player, he himself was excited about his loan spell and given the game time he has been given, the Northern Ireland midfielder would not mind a permanent transfer.
“It suits the way I like to play,” he had said. “Once I knew of the interest I was desperate to get it done and I am very happy to be here.”
Brighton however, it would seem is unwilling to lose the in-form midfielder on a permanent basis and hence has rejected the deal. They will have a hard job holding on to the player, however, as they are unlikely to give him a first-team berth despite his form. With another week still to go before the window shuts, Brighton might just change their stance on a player for whom they do not really have much space in the team.
