With many thanks to Brighton season ticket holders Greg Salmon and Alex Loader, we ask a few questions about Wayne Bridge and his time at Brighton.
With many thanks to Brighton season ticket holders Greg Salmon (@gregsalmon25) and Alex Loader (@AlexLoader1), we ask a few questions about Wayne Bridge and his time at Brighton. Both answer questions about Bridge’s notable strengths and weaknesses, as well as how long they reckon he can still play at the top level. Thanks lads!
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1) In a nutshell, describe his time at Brighton?
GS: He added a touch of class to our defence and is, without doubt, one of the best players to play for us at the Amex.
AL: Very impressive. He was in the team of the season and one of our best players and would’ve loved him to stay.
2) What are his notable strengths?
GS: He likes to get forward whenever he can, he’s very comfortable on the ball and can deliver a great cross.
AL: He very rarely gets beaten, and is very good at getting forward.
3) Are there any weaknesses that are creeping into his game?
GS: At Championship standard he had no notable weaknesses, he was in our top 3 players last year and a large percentage of the fans voted for him as player of the year.
AL: I’d say the only possible weakness would be losing a bit of pace.
4) Are you surprised a Premier League team did not take the risk on him?
GS: I fully expected him to step back up to the Premiership next season after his performances for us. Not many Brighton fans held out much hope of keeping him but almost all assumed it would be a case of losing him to a bottom half Premier League side.
AL: Yes, I am surprised. i feared that a prem team would get him instead of Brighton and was surprised when he went to Reading.
5) How many seasons do you think he has left in him to be playing at this level?
GS: Until his pace starts letting him down, I think he is destined to play in the top 2 tiers. I could easily see him playing for another 3 seasons.
AL: At Championship level I’d say easily another two seasons.
6) Did he have any injury issues during his time with Brighton?
GS: He suffered a calf injury during his time with us and was out for a few games because of this but managed 37 games – the most he’s managed since his Southampton days. He’s showing no signs of becoming injury prone.
AL: Had a couple of setbacks but nothing too serious, he would’ve missed 10 games max.
7) Some people say that Bridge can lack motivation sometimes and look uninterested, is that a fair comment?
GS: This was my main fear when he joined us. After falling out of favour at Chelsea, thanks to Ashley Cole, he had mainly been consigned to bit-part roles and uninspiring loan moves. These fears were totally unnecessary as he was fully motivated during his time with us. I put most if this down to the way we play football and Gus Poyet who got the best out of him from day one. If you can keep him as motivated as he was with us, you have got the best left back in the Championship next season.
AL: As a season ticket holder I’d disagree. You would never hear anyone complaining about his work rate etc.
