Glenn Murray thinks Brighton have a problem and Fabian Hurzeler will not be happy
Opinion: Do Brighton lack an identity under Fabian Hurzeler? - Here’s what Glenn Murray said
Former Brighton and Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray gave his honest assessment of Albion's "identity" under Fabian Hurzeler.
Murray, speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Albion’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, believes it was stronger under previous boss Roberto De Zerbi and that the players have taken time to buy into Hurzeler's ideas.
Murray's opinion on this is clearly valid. He remains close to the club, co-hosts the club's podcast and is likely still very close to some of the senior players.
It’s a bit of an issue though, as a high-profile and recent former player questioning Hurzeler's methods may have not gone down too well with all parties within the club... Especially when Brighton are in fifth and pushing for Europe.
But Murray is now paid to offer his informed and professional opinion. The quote in the Tweet from Sky Sports perhaps didn't do Murray any favours - and it's certainly debatable if Brighton have really "struggled" since De Zerbi left.
De Zerbi did very well at Brighton but the wheels did fall off in the second half of his final season. De Zerbi was also at the club when Brighton were blessed with the best midfield in their history, with Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Pascal Gross.
Hurzeler, 32, has not had that luxury in midfield and he has also had to to contend with a host of injuries and a high turnover over of players since arriving from St Pauli. That is of course part of the package these days in the Premier League, especially at Brighton where the policy is to introduce young players and then move them on for high profits.
The Premier League has also moved on a bit from the De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola possession-based style. Many teams are in transition, what’s Man City’s identity these days? Or Newcastle’s, Tottenham’s or Liverpool’s? Even Arsenal have changed this season. Running and pressing seems to rule over possession these day. And Brighton’s pressing stats under Hurzeler reflect that.
Yet with Hurzeler's "identity" - or lack of it - the impressive young German has guided the Seagulls to fifth in the table and if they can get a result against Aston Villa tonight, under the lights at the Amex, it will boost their chances of European football next season.
Hurzeler was diplomatic in his response to Murray
Hurzeler, as he always is, was measured and diplomatic in response to Murray's comments.
“Everyone can comment on that, and for me that is absolutely fine,” he said to The Argus.
“We want to stand for something as a club. We want to stand for something on the pitch and off the pitch. We want to be successful. Day to day and week to week, we work on our identity so it is clear to everyone what it means to play for Brighton.”
It was a nice response from Hurzeler but I wonder how frosty the conversation could be if he bumps into Murray around the training ground in the coming weeks.
Brighton's highest ever Premier League finish was under De Zerbi when they finished sixth. Hurzeler has a chance to top that this season... and that'd be quite an identity to have.
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