Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As England manager, Thomas Tuchel is blessed by having more number 10s than he knows what to do with. The list includes Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White.

The competition is huge, which is presumably why nobody is talking about Jack Hinshelwood's England prospects - not necessarily for this summer's World Cup, but for the future.

Now, you might think it is mere Brighton bias to put Hinshelwood's name in such esteemed company, and maybe it is.

But what cannot be disputed is the cold, hard fact that Fabian Hurzeler pushing Hinshelwood into the number 10 role at the end of February has been one of the biggest factors in turning Albion fans' fears of being dragged towards the relegation battle into dreams of a top-six finish.

Brighton had one league win in 13 games when Hurzeler sprung a surprise by starting Hinshelwood behind Danny Welbeck for Albion's trip to Brentford - and it ended that abysmal run of form.

It has since given way to six wins and one draw from nine games.

While Hinshelwood's individual statistics of two goals and two assists over those nine matches are unlikely to have Bellingham, Palmer or Rogers quaking in their boots, he is just one of those players you have to watch live to appreciate how good he is.

His footballing intelligence is astonishing for a 21-year-old. It is why he can seamlessly switch from playing as a full-back to a number 10, something England already know about after he starred at right-back and left-back when the under-21s retained their Euros title last summer.

Hinshelwood links play brilliantly and gets into some excellent positions, but the one thing that currently lets him down is his finishing.

However, there are already signs he is working on that because his recent goals against Chelsea and Newcastle were taken with aplomb.

If he becomes more clinical, he could easily hit double figures and beyond for Brighton next season. At which point, his England claims would become impossible to ignore.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Johnny Cantor is joined by former Brighton players Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters to discuss Fabian Hurzeler's new contract.

They also review the Newcastle defeat, look ahead to the final three games and hear from Jan Paul van Hecke and Jack Hinshelwood.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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We asked for your views on Fabian Hurzeler agreeing a new long-term contract to extend his stay at Amex Stadium, after penning an initial deal to become the youngest full-time boss of a Premier League team in June 2024.

Here are some of your replies:

Andrew: I am very pleased, indeed. He has been doing well as our manager and I am confident will go on to do even better as his experience and knowledge of the Premier League develops. He has become a key part of this stable and sophisticated Brighton set-up.

Rich: Fantastic news. This will dispel any rumours of him moving. If Chelsea or any other club want him, it will cost them big now. After a shaky start to his career at Brighton, he's had his critics - but I like him. He has been a good manager for us. If he can find the consistency, he will be listed as a top-class manager.

Daniel: I am not happy. He has got the potential to be a great manager, but his tactics are bizarre sometimes. I want him out, no matter what happens this season, because he has no connection with the fans. Just look at Roberto de Zerbi and Spurs - that's what we need and what we miss.

Jonathan: Contracts can be broken, if performances reduce. I know that sounds negative but I haven't really ever seen or heard our players praising Fabian Hurzeler.

Nigel: We have to trust Mr Bloom. I hope he will back up this decision with some new experienced players to replace Danny Welbeck, James Milner and possibly Lewis Dunk. All three of them have been great for the club, but how long can Hurzeler continue to be lucky with them?

Melv: He took time to establish himself, but he got there in the end. He deserves an extended contract. There's more to come from this man yet.

Image source, Getty Images

So, Brighton have agreed a new long-term contract with head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

The Seagulls are eighth in the Premier League, on 50 points with three matches remaining, as they seek European football for only the second time in the club's history.

Hurzeler, 33, had 12 months to run on his existing deal.

What do you make of the news? How do you rate Hurzeler's time in charge so far? And how far can he take you now?

Let us know here

Jack Hinshelwood says he can "assure everyone" that he and his Brighton team-mates will "work so hard this week and show a reaction next Saturday".

Albion are eighth in the Premier League following their defeat at Newcastle and face Wolves next at the Amex (Saturday, 15:00 BST).

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "The support we've had at the Amex recently has been unbelievable. We're going to need that again come Saturday.

"We've got three massive games to go - all really important games. It's going to be an exciting end to the season.

"We can be disappointed [with the Newcastle defeat] but all focus has got to be on the next game and doing what we have been doing - getting back to the basics, training really hard and coming out firing next Saturday."

Hit play above to hear more from Hinshelwood or listen here on BBC Sounds

Meanwhile, Jan Paul van Hecke also spoke to BBC Radio Sussex post-match about how Albion were "too open at the back" - listen below or on BBC Sounds

Explore all Brighton audio on BBC Sounds

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have claimed the edge in the battle for sixth place in the Premier League - and what could be the strangest Champions League spot yet.

The in-form Cherries' 3-0 win over Crystal Palace helped them overtake Brentford into that position.

Sixth will earn a Europa League place at the very least, with some of the contenders having never qualified for Europe before.

However, both elements needed for sixth place to become a Champions League spot seem quite plausible.

Aston Villa would need to finish in fifth, exactly where they currently reside, and win the Europa League. They trail Nottingham Forest 1-0 after the semi-final first leg, but they are at home for Thursday's return leg.

This scenario will only play out if Villa finish fifth - and not in the top four or below fifth - because of a quirk in Uefa's rules.

The Premier League landed a fifth Champions League place because of the English teams' performances in Europe - something called the European Performance Spot (EPS).

So if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, that EPS spot would be passed down to the team in sixth, who would qualify for the Champions League.

However if Villa finish in the top four, winning the Europa League would make no difference to any other English team and the sixth-placed finisher would qualify for the Europa League.

With Aston Villa six points clear in fifth, sixth place appears to be the highest any of the other teams could finish.

At the moment, Bournemouth are on 52 points - one point clear of Brentford, who are one point above Brighton.

The Cherries and the Bees have never played in European competition before, while the Seagulls' only Uefa campaign was in the 2023-24 Europa League.

Chelsea are four points behind Bournemouth, but they have a game in hand against Forest.

Fulham are level on points with Chelsea. Everton, who have a game in hand against Manchester City, and Sunderland are on 47 points - so they are just about in the race.

Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Leeds could still mathematically - but not so realistically - qualify for the Champions League.

Read the full article here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Wesley: I stick with Eddie Howe, but his tactics are puzzling sometimes. You need a team to play 90 minutes, not chop around in the second half. Hard to settle three subs into the game. Harvey Barnes should be on every game... all game.

Chris: Newcastle were a touch fortunate. Brighton dominated and maybe deserved a point.

JD: Thought the score was flattering to Newcastle. You can see why Osula is keeping the big-money strikers out of the starting XI. His running and pressing is relentless and he's unpredictable, which makes defenders nervous. It stopped Brighton's build from the back. Best player on the pitch and no surprise Brighton came back into it once he was subbed off. Newcastle still look very shaky at the back though, a lot of loose balls and Pope doesn't look confident with the ball at his feet.

LostGeordie: A tense and difficult watch. Another dreadful second half - we are supposed to come out at pace but the deliberate slowing of goal-kicks by Pope, perpetually ineffective, was terrible to watch, inviting Brighton's inevitable goal. I'll not comment on Wissa.

Brighton fans

Fran: I thought we had cut out all this silly stuff by giving the ball away in dangerous areas. Verbruggen, again rushing out of his area, and Van Hecke dithering and then slipping. We gifted Newcastle three goals. They were not better than us and we should have won this game. Enjoy the last three games and forget about Europe. If it happens, great - if not, it shows we aren't ready.

David: The Brighton curse of this season strikes again - the inability to beat teams below them in the league. Could have been, should have been almost any score the number of chances created and were not taken. All is not lost - three games to go and we can still get into Europe.

CK: The same old story of attractive approach play was let down by poor delivery in the final third and lack of muscle up top to force the issue. A draw was probably a fairer result.

Jon: If they had been more clinical and defended better, they would have won easily. Verbruggen is a good keeper, but still makes ridiculous errors. Newcastle parked the bus for much of the game.