'Really good understanding': Unlikely midfield formula sparks Brighton resurgence as Fabian Hurzeler pinpoints what's needed for European place
Momentum and consistency has been hard to come by for Brighton & Hove Albion this season.
Two wins in 15 matches in all competitions – after the FA Cup exit at Liverpool on Valentines’ Day – told the story of a side searching for inspiration.
Now, successive victories against Brentford and Nottingham Forest have hinted at renewed balance – and at the centre of it is a midfield trio blending youth, experience and enduring class.
The symmetry between Jack Hinshelwood, 20, and James Milner, 40, remains striking. One is exactly half the age of the other, yet they seem to compliment each other perfectly, alongside the classy operator that is Pascal Gross.
Milner’s composure and organisation have steadied performances during a tense period.
In starting at Brentford last weekend, the veteran marked his 654th top flight appearance – surpassing Garth Barry’s all-time Premier League record.
It was a relief that the record-breaking moment was not marred by a poor result.
The build-up to the occasion had been tinged with negativity, with Milner unfairly bearing the brunt of criticism whenever Albion had conceded during his late cameo appearances earlier in the season.
He has proved any doubters wrong with two strong performances at the heart of the midfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win over Forest, Milner said: "We had good spells in the game. Second half, probably not our best free-flowing football but we managed the game pretty well, defended well.
"The run we have been on we have played a lot better and lost games so it's probably that know-how of winning games and finding a way to win which we've managed to do the last two games.
"Amazing effort for the boys to get it over the line, amazing defending and some great goals in there as well and really pleasing to get back-to-back victories."
The former Manchester City and Liverpool man said the messages he has received ‘means a lot’, describing them as ‘amazing tributes’.
He added: “That's pleasing. It's nice to show the effort you have put in and the impact you have made. But it was all about the team getting another victory today. The last two games have been so important to us."
Alongside Milner, Hinshelwood’s energy has reintroduced drive and penetration and, alongside them, club stalwart Pascal Gross has provided the connective tissue. The German’s intelligence in possession and ability to find decisive moments were on display again on Sunday, when he registered an assist for Diego Gomez in the victory over Nottingham Forest.
Hinshelwood, too, underlined his growing influence by setting up Danny Welbeck – a contribution that encapsulated what head coach Fabian Hurzeler has highlighted about the youngster’s understanding of space and timing.
"We know what Jack is capable of,” Hurzeler said. “He can run a lot and has a good understanding of spaces and when to make a good run."
On the academy graduate’s relationship with Milner, the German added: "They have a really good understanding and you see it on the pitch. They support each other. James Milner can be a mentor for Jack on and off the pitch. How they are related and connect on the pitch can really help.”
With Gross orchestrating, Milner anchoring and Hinshelwood surging, Brighton have looked far more cohesive. The distances are shorter, the pressing more synchronised, and the attacking runs better timed.
Brighton fielded an unchanged starting XI on Sunday, which doesn’t happen often under Hurzeler.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 33-year-old explained the game-plan for the visit of relegation-threatened Forest: “We wanted to create a desire to defend and create an energy on the pitch that brings the whole stadium behind us and I think we did that in the first half.
"We created a lot of chances, intense in our pressing and then in the second half we suffered a little bit.
"We showed a desire to defend and our fans pushed us over the finish line. I was very happy with their support as well. In the end I think the team got what they deserved."
Hurzeler said wins ‘always help and increase self-confidence’.
He added: For me, the joy today was how easy we played football. We kept it easy, we had a good connection, not a lot of touches. We have to make sure we are able to do it for 90 minutes and then we will be happy."
After the narrow 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on February 11, the Seagulls were just seven points above the relegation zone. They had won just once in their previous 13 league games, slipping from fifth at the end of November to 14th.
Back-to-back victories have pushed Albion back up to 11th, and they are closer to fifth-placed Liverpool (11 point gap) than they are to 18th-placed West Ham (12 point gap).
Hurzeler said ‘togetherness’ will be key, if his team are to mount a late surge for a European place next season.
He added: “Being a unit with defence, being a unit on the pitch and doing the basic things right."
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