Emile Heskey has been a WAB favourite ever since he scored for England in THAT win in Munich back in September 2001… and even more so now he is tipping Brighton to make the top six this season under Fabian Hurzeler.
Speaking to Casino Apps, Heskey was very complimentary about the Albion in general and the start to life Hurzeler has made in the Premier League.
Heskey said: “I’ve got a feeling that Brighton are going to do really well this season and make it into the top six. Fabian Hürzeler has done a fantastic job so far this season.”
“I know we always talk about the manager but it’s worth appreciating the hierarchy at that club as well – they keep getting it right!”
“Not only are they spot on with their recruitment and bringing in the right players, but they also don’t miss when bringing in managers, either.”
“It’s a really good model they have there, because if you go back to when Graham Potter was in charge compared to now, that football hasn’t changed that much.”
“It shows that they’ve got the right model at the club, not just the right manager. It’s a real testament to them and I think they could possibly sneak into the top six.”
Heskey’s comments come less than two weeks after ex-Albion defender Mark Lawrenson said Hurzeler would not repeat the success of Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton.
Lawrenson is well known for being cheery and positive about his former club. When doing his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson famously predicted the Albion win six of their first 59 games in the Premier League after winning promotion in 2017. Over the same time period, he did not think Liverpool would lose a single match.
The Albion currently sit fifth in the table after eight matches. Their only defeat has come away at a Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea, thanks partly to a defensive disaster class.
Take that afternoon at Stamford Bridge out of the equation and Brighton have already beaten Manchester United and Spurs at home, Newcastle away and taken a point from Arsenal.
10 points from a possible 15 against the European Super League Elite Six and the Saudi Sportswashers is good going by anyone’s standards.
All whilst the Youngest Permanent Head Coach in Premier League history adapts to life in England and begins to integrate nearly £200 million worth of signings.
Heskey played twice against the Albion in his career. He led the line when Bolton Wanderers defeat Brighton 1-0 at what is now known as the Toughsheet Stadium in February 2015. Easily the best ground name in English football.
He then scored past David Stockdale the following 2015-16 season when Bolton were beaten 3-2 at the Amex, making it 1-1 on 22 minutes to cancel out an early Jamie Murphy strike.
Tomer Hemed put the Albion 2-1 ahead on the stroke of half time, only for Jay Spearing to equalise seven minutes after the break.
Beram Kayal provided the winner for Brighton on the hour mark, making it a good day for the Albion’s Israeli men (hallelujah!).