.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
Brighton are 12th in the Premier League after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Seagulls are winless in their last five and have gained two points from a possible 15. (Three defeats to Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal and draws to West Ham and Sunderland).
After the loss to the Gunners, Athletic reporter Adam Crafton posted: “Brighton have become a bit meh under Hurzeler?” It’s a simple statement/question that clearly struck a nerve with the Brighton fanbase as Hurzeler has divided opinion since his arrival from St Pauli in the summer of 2024.
Last season the German guided Brighton to a respectable eighth place, narrowly missing out on a place in Europe. This term the Seagulls have impressed in patches but inconsistent performances have seen them slip to 12th. They are however comfortably clear of a relegation battle and remain just two points behind eighth placed Brentford and above the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham.
At times this season it has felt a little flat and perhaps “meh” at the Amex - the 1-1 draw against West Ham springs to mind - but it’s easy and risky to take midtable in the Premier League for granted, as the likes of Leicester and Southampton found.
Here’s 11 reasons why Brighton are 'meh' under Fabian Hurzeler...
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
5. Mitoma's missing magic
The Japan international has lost his magic this season. He started the first six games but looked off the pace and then picked up an ankle injury in the 3-1 win at Chelsea. He finally returned as a sub at Liverpool but then missed the Arsenal match with illness. Brighton are simply a better team when Mitoma is flying. | AFP via Getty Images
6. A Pedro problem
Brighton's famed succession planning let them down here. Pedro left for Chelsea and the Seagulls failed to replaced him. They spent the money of young Greek strikers Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas. Both have huge potential but they were not ready to help Hurzeler this season. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Fabulous Fabian?
Hurzeler has not got everything right but he is not to blame for Brighton's "meh" season so far. De Zerbi was popular with Brighton fans but the wheels did fall off under the Italian in his final season. De Zerbi also had the luxury of a Mac Allister/Caicedo/Gross midfield. Hurzeler is a different character but also a smart and engaging head coach. | Getty Images
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
8. Walking wounded
Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck have all missed chunks of the season while, Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster and Solly March have been long term absentees | Getty Images