2015–16 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season

Brighton & Hove Albion
2015–16 season
Chairman Tony Bloom
Manager Chris Hughton
Stadium Falmer Stadium
Championship 3rd
FA Cup Third round
League Cup Second round
Top goalscorer League: Tomer Hemed (17)
All: Tomer Hemed (17)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 2015–16 season is Brighton & Hove Albion 114th year in existence and fifth consecutive season in the Championship.[1] Along with competing in the Championship, the club will also participate in the FA Cup and League Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Brighton enjoyed a much improved season after narrowly avoiding relegation the season prior, finishing an impressive 3rd place in the Championship table below Middlesbrough only on an inferior goal difference of two goals. Brighton only lost five games throughout the entire season, a feat matched by champions Burnley who only finished with four more points than Brighton.

The season began in spectacular fashion for Brighton, where they embarked on a 21 game unbeaten run that saw them occupy an automatic promotion place for much of the first half of the season. However, they would then lose four out of their five following games, dropping out of the top two and only sporadically occupying second place throughout the season, fighting a fierce contest with promotion rivals Hull City, Derby County, Middlesbrough and Burnley. After this mid-season dip in form, Brighton would only lose one more game throughout the rest of the season, and went into the final game of the Championship season away at second-placed Middlesbrough level on points with them but behind them on goal difference, knowing only a win would secure automatic promotion. The two teams drew 1–1, and Brighton finished the season in a play-off position instead.

A third play-off campaign for the Seagulls in four seasons ensued, however it would again end in defeat at the semi-final stage for a third time, as Brighton lost 3–1 on aggregate over two legs against Sheffield Wednesday.

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Finland GK Niki Mäenpää
2 Spain DF Bruno
3 Scotland DF Gordon Greer (captain)
4 Germany DF Uwe Hünemeier
5 England DF Lewis Dunk
6 England MF Dale Stephens
7 Israel MF Beram Kayal
8 Wales MF Andrew Crofts
9 England FW Sam Baldock
10 Israel FW Tomer Hemed
12 Cameroon DF Gaëtan Bong
13 England GK David Stockdale
14 Spain DF Iñigo Calderón (vice captain)
15 Scotland MF Jamie Murphy
16 Denmark GK Casper Ankergren
17 England DF Connor Goldson
No. Position Player
19 Netherlands MF Elvis Manu
20 England MF Solly March
21 England FW James Wilson
22 Netherlands MF Danny Holla
23 England DF Liam Rosenior
24 England MF Rohan Ince
25 England FW Bobby Zamora
26 Republic of Ireland DF Glen Rea
27 France MF Anthony Knockaert
28 England DF Adam Chicksen
29 Republic of Ireland MF Richie Towell
30 Democratic Republic of the Congo MF Kazenga LuaLua
33 England DF Liam Ridgewell
36 England MF Steve Sidwell
38 Czech Republic MF Jiri Skalak

Development squad and youth team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
31 England GK Christian Walton
— Republic of Ireland GK Harry Doherty
— Spain GK Robert Sanchez
— England GK Josh Smith
— England DF Ben Barclay
— England DF Dylan Barnett
— England DF Tom Dallison
— England DF Rob Hunt
— England MF Will Collar
— Republic of Ireland MF Dessie Hutchinson
— England MF Connor Pring
— England MF Jesse Starkey[2]
No. Position Player
— Wales MF Connor Tighe
— England MF Joe Ward [3]
— England FW Daniel Akindayini
— England FW Jason Davis
— Scotland FW Jack Harper
— Finland FW Vahid Hambo
— Wales FW Chike Kandi
— England FW James Tilley
— England FW Robin Deen
— Iceland FW Ragnar Mar Larusson
— Norway FW Henrik Rørvik Bjørdal
— England FW Jonah Ayunga

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
11 England FW Chris O'Grady (on loan at Nottingham Forest)
18 England MF Jake Forster-Caskey (on loan at Milton Keynes Dons)

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1 July 2015CFIsraelTomer HemedAlmería£1,000,000[4][5]
1 July 2015RBEnglandLiam RoseniorHull CityFree transfer[6]
1 July 2015LWEnglandJoe WardChelmsford CityUndisclosed[7]
2 July 2015CFNigeriaDaniel AkindayiniTottenham HotspurFree transfer[8]
2 July 2015LBCameroonGaëtan BongWigan AthleticFree transfer[9]
6 July 2015GKFinlandNiki MäenpääVVV-VenloFree transfer[10]
22 July 2015CFFinlandVahid HamboInter TurkuUndisclosed[11]
23 July 2015CFScotlandJack HarperReal MadridUndisclosed[12]
3 August 2015CFEnglandBobby ZamoraQueens Park RangersFree transfer[13]
12 August 2015CBGermanyUwe HünemeierSC Paderborn£1,750,000[14][15]
14 August 2015LWScotlandJamie MurphySheffield United£1,500,000[16][17]
19 August 2015RBEnglandConnor GoldsonShrewsbury TownUndisclosed[18]
29 August 2015LWNetherlandsElvis ManuFeyenoord£1,500,000[19]
2 January 2016AMRepublic of IrelandRichie TowellDundalkUndisclosed[20]
11 January 2016RWFranceAnthony KnockaertStandard LiègeUndisclosed[21]
27 January 2016RWNorwayHenrik Rørvik BjørdalAalesundUndisclosed[22]
1 February 2016CFEnglandJonah AyungaDorchester TownUndisclosed[23]
1 February 2016CFCzech RepublicJiří SkalákMladá BoleslavUndisclosed[24]

Total outgoing: Decrease £5,750,000

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2015CMEnglandBradley BarrySwindon TownFree transfer[25]
1 July 2015AMEnglandGeorge ColeFree AgentReleased[25]
1 July 2015CFRepublic of IrelandShamir FenelonCrawley Town [lower-alpha 1]Free transfer[25]
1 July 2015LWNorthern IrelandPaddy McCourtLuton TownFree transfer[27]
1 July 2015CFEnglandJimmy MuittFree AgentReleased[25]
1 July 2015CBGhanaDaniel PappoeFree AgentReleased[25]
1 July 2015CFEnglandCameron WiltshireFree AgentReleased[25]
1 August 2015CFScotlandCraig Mackail-SmithLuton TownFree transfer[28]
19 January 2016RMEnglandJeffrey MonakanaFC VoluntariFree transfer[29]
  1. ↑ Following Fenelon's release he joined Crawley Town.[26]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
26 November 2015RWNetherlandsRajiv van La ParraWolverhampton Wanderers2 January 2016[30]
26 November 2015CFEnglandJames WilsonManchester UnitedEnd of season[31]
2 January 2016CBEnglandLiam RidgewellPortland Timbers13 February 2016[32]
25 January 2016CMEnglandSteve SidwellStoke CityEnd of season[33]

    Loans out

    Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
    21 July 2015GKEnglandChristian WaltonBury1 September 2015[lower-alpha 1][35]
    4 August 2015RMEnglandJeffrey MonakanaBristol Rovers1 September 2015[36]
    19 August 2015CBEnglandTom DallisonBraintree Town19 September 2015[37]
    28 August 2015MFEnglandCharlie HarrisAldershot Town26 September 2015[38]
    28 August 2015CBRepublic of IrelandGlen ReaSouthend United2 January 2016[39]
    1 September 2015CFEnglandChris O'GradyNottingham ForestEnd of season[40]
    22 September 2015CMEnglandJake Forster-CaskeyMilton Keynes Dons24 October 2015[41]
    24 September 2015CFEnglandRobin DeenLewes22 October 2015[42]
    2 October 2015LBEnglandAdam ChicksenLeyton Orient6 November 2015[43]
    19 November 2015GKEnglandChristian WaltonPlymouth Argyle3 January 2016[44]
    8 January 2016CMEnglandJake Forster-CaskeyMilton Keynes DonsEnd of season[45]
    27 January 2016LBEnglandAdam ChicksenGillingham23 February 2016[46]
    1 February 2016DMEnglandRohan InceFulhamEnd of season[47]
    1 February 2016LWNetherlandsElvis ManuHuddersfield Town2 May 2016[48]
    1. ↑ On 1 September 2015, Walton returned from his loan spell due to injury.[34]

    Pre-season

    Friendlies

    On 5 May 2015, Brighton & Hove Albion announced four pre-season friendlies, Away to Lewes on 18 July 2015, Away to Crawley Town on 22 July 2015, Away to Aberdeen on 26 July 2015 and Away to Gillingham on 29 July 2015.[49] On 25 May 2015, Brighton & Hove Albion announced they will face 2015 Europa League finalists Sevilla at home on 2 August 2015.[50] On 23 June 2015, Brighton & Hove albion announced Swiss opposition for 11 July 2015.[51]

    Competitions

    Championship

    League table

    Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
    1 Burnley (C, P) 46 26 15 5 72 35 +37 93 Promotion to the Premier League
    2 Middlesbrough (P) 46 26 11 9 63 31 +32 89
    3 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 24 17 5 72 42 +30 89 Qualification for the Championship play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
    4 Hull City (O, P) 46 24 11 11 69 35 +34 83
    5 Derby County 46 21 15 10 66 43 +23 78
    Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 2016. Source: BBC Sport
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
    (C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted.
    Notes:
    1. ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to the Premier League.

    Results summary

    OverallHomeAway
    PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
    46 24 17 5 72 42  +30 89 15 5 3 40 18  +22 9 12 2 32 24  +8

    Last updated: 7 May 2016.
    Source:

    Results round by round

    Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
    GroundHAAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHHAAHHHAAAHAHHAHAAHHHHA
    ResultWWDWWWWDDDWWDDDWDWWDDLDLLLWWWWDLWWDDWWDWWWWWDD
    Position1122111111111132211123444653343344442233323333

    Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 2016. Source:
    A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

    Matches

    On 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[52]

    Play-Offs

    FA Cup

    Brighton & Hove Albion entered the FA Cup in the third round, which was drawn on 7 December 2015. Brighton were drawn away against Hull City.[54]

    League Cup

    On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Brighton & Hove Albion were drawn away against Southend United.[55] In the second round, Brighton were drawn away to Walsall.[56]

    Statistics

    Goalscorers

    As of 7 May 2016
    RankNo.Pos.NameChampionshipFA CupLeague CupTotal
    1 10FWTomer Hemed170017
    2 25FWBobby Zamora7007
    6MFDale Stephens7007
    4 15MFJamie Murphy6006
    5 21FWJames Wilson5005
    27MFAnthony Knockaert5005
    7 9FWSam Baldock4004
    30MFKazenga LuaLua3014
    9 20MFSolly March3003
    5DFLewis Dunk3003
    11 7MFBeram Kayal2002
    27MFRajiv van La Parra2002
    38MFJiri Skalak2002
    17DFConnor Goldson2002
    15 36MFSteve Sidwell1001
    2DFBruno1001
    18MFJake Forster-Caskey0011
    Own goals2002
    Total720274

    Disciplinary Record

    As of 7 May 2016
    No. Pos. Name Championship FA Cup League Cup Total
    Yellow cardRed cardYellow cardRed cardYellow cardRed cardYellow cardRed card
    6MFDale Stephens1010000101
    7MFBeram Kayal90000090
    5DFLewis Dunk72101092
    30MFKazenga LuaLua70000070
    2DFBruno50000050
    3DFGordon Greer50000050
    13GKDavid Stockdale50000050
    20MFSolly March40000040
    12DFGaëtan Bong30001040
    10FWTomer Hemed30000030
    23DFLiam Rosenior30000030
    14DFIñigo Calderón20100030
    17DFConnor Goldson20100030
    9FWSam Baldock20000020
    25FWBobby Zamora20000020
    27MFAnthony Knockaert20000020
    38MFJiri Skalak20000020
    4DFUwe Hünemeier20000020
    8MFAndrew Crofts10000010
    33DFLiam Ridgewell10000010
    15MFJamie Murphy01000001
    18MFJake Forster-Caskey00001010
    24MFRohan Ince00001010
    Totals7743040844

    References

    1. ↑ "History". Statto.
    2. ↑ "Starkey signs". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
    3. ↑ "Ward joins development squad". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
    4. ↑ "Albion Sign International Striker". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 24 June 2015.
    5. ↑ "Brighton sign Israeli striker Tomer Hemed from Almeria". Football 365. 24 June 2015.
    6. ↑ "Albion Sign Experienced Defender". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 23 June 2015.
    7. ↑ "Ward Joins Development Squad". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 3 June 2015.
    8. ↑ "Albion Sign Ex-Spurs Striker For U21s". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 2 July 2015.
    9. ↑ "Albion Sign Cameroon International". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 2 July 2015.
    10. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign Finland international goalkeeper". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 6 July 2015.
    11. ↑ "ALBION SIGN FINLAND UNDER-21 STAR". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 22 July 2015.
    12. ↑ "ALBION SIGN REAL MADRID STRIKER". Brighton & Hove Albion. 23 July 2015.
    13. ↑ "Zamora Returns To Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
    14. ↑ "Albion Sign German Defender". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
    15. ↑ "Albion confirm Hunemeier deal". The Argus. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
    16. ↑ "Albion Sign Winger". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    17. ↑ "Albion bring in winger on four-year deal". The Argus. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    18. ↑ "Shrews Defender Joins Seagulls". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
    19. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign Dutch under-21 star". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
    20. ↑ "Albion Agree Contract For Irish Midfielder Towell". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 30 November 2015.
    21. ↑ "Knockaert Completes Albion Move". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 7 January 2016.
    22. ↑ "Albion Sign Norwegian Winger". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 27 January 2016.
    23. ↑ "Albion Sign Under-21 Forward". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 February 2016.
    24. ↑ "Albion Add Czech International Forward". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 February 2016.
    25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Under-21s Retained List". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 14 May 2015.
    26. ↑ "Crawley Town: Luke Rooney and Shamir Fenelon sign for club". BBC Sport. 23 June 2015.
    27. ↑ "Paddy McCourt 'delighted' to sign two year deal with Luton Town". Derry Journal. 1 July 2015.
    28. ↑ "Craig Mackail-Smith: Luton Town sign ex-Brighton striker". BBC Sport. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
    29. ↑ "MONAKANA SET FOR ROMANIAN SWITCH". Brighton & Hove Albion. 19 January 2016.
    30. ↑ "Seagulls Sign Van La Parra". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
    31. ↑ "Wilson Signs Until End Of Season". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
    32. ↑ "Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell to join Brighton & Hove Albion on offseason loan". Portland Timbers. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
    33. ↑ "Albion sign Sidwell". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 25 January 2016.
    34. ↑ "Walton Returns". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
    35. ↑ "Walton Makes Loan Move". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 21 July 2015.
    36. ↑ "Monakana Joins Rovers On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
    37. ↑ "Dallison Joins Braintree On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
    38. ↑ "Harris Joins Aldershot". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
    39. ↑ "Rea Joins Southend". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
    40. ↑ "O'Grady Heads Out On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
    41. ↑ "Forster-Caskey Joins MK Dons". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
    42. ↑ "Albion Striker Heads Out On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
    43. ↑ "Chicksen joins Orient on loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
    44. ↑ "Brighton keeper Christian Walton joins Plymouth on loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
    45. ↑ "Forster-Caskey Loaned To MK Dons". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 8 January 2016.
    46. ↑ "Chicksen Joins Gillingham On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 27 January 2016.
    47. ↑ "Midfielder Joins Fulham On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 February 2016.
    48. ↑ "Striker Heads Out On Loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 1 February 2016.
    49. ↑ "Pre-Season Schedule Announced". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 5 May 2015.
    50. ↑ "Albion To Host Europa League Champions And 2015 Finalists Sevilla FC". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 25 May 2015.
    51. ↑ "Albion Face Swiss Opponents". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 23 June 2015.
    52. ↑ "Albion Start With Forest". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 17 June 2015.
    53. ↑ "Kick-off at Blackburn Rovers' clash at Brighton & Hove Albion delayed after plane crash that has killed seven people". 22 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
    54. ↑ "Exeter City to face Liverpool in Emirates FA Cup third round". The FA. 7 December 2015.
    55. ↑ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
    56. ↑ "Capital One Cup Round 2 draw". Capital One Cup. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-08-16. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.