Tag: Sol Bamba

Liam Bridcutt was the Real deal for Poyet’s Brighton

LIAM BRIDCUTT won back-to-back Player of the Season awards at Brighton and later went on to captain Leeds United.

The diminutive midfielder was a stand-out defensive midfielder who Seagulls supporters took to their hearts.

He was pivotal to the new style of play Gus Poyet introduced, sitting in front of the back four, and comfortably acting as the conduit for the side’s highly effective passing game.

Having been brought through as a youngster at Stamford Bridge, he had witnessed close up the role Claude Makelele executed so efficiently for Chelsea, and, when his former Stamford Bridge colleague Poyet gave him an initial five-month contract at Brighton, he seized the chance.

“Chelsea made me the player I am today and they gave me the best of everything in terms of facilities and training with some of the biggest names in football,” he said shortly after signing for the Albion.

“My favourite player was Dennis Wise. I always wanted to be like him in that central midfield role. Then, as I got older, the team changed and it was Makele who I watched. Chelsea wanted more of a Makele player out of me.”

With so many star names ahead of him, it was inevitable Bridcutt would have to look elsewhere to progress. Initially he went on loan to Watford, managed by Brendan Rodgers, who he’d played under for Chelsea’s youth side and reserves.

“I played in some really big games, jumping from reserve football – full of kids and not that physical – into games where players are literally fighting for their careers,” he said.

“My first game was against Doncaster, where I was named Man of the Match, and then it was Spurs in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. I was up against Jermaine Jenas and Jamie O’Hara. I loved the adrenalin and pushing myself against all these players.”

It meant he didn’t fancy returning to reserve football and went out on loan again, playing more than 20 games for Stockport County in League One – including being sent off playing against the Seagulls! “It was another good learning curve for me,” he said.

When released by Chelsea, he had trials at Crystal Palace, Wycombe Wanderers and Dagenham and Redbridge – without success – but Chelsea let him return to train with them for three weeks and, during that time, Ray Wilkins suggested him to Poyet, who gave him an initial five-month contract to show what he could do.

After his debut against Orient, he told the matchday programme: “The manager has been saying to me that he needs a player in there who can control the game, break things up and play. I aim to prove I am that player.”

Mission accomplished, Bridcutt earned a two-year deal and he told the Argus: “It was one of my goals when I first signed here, to get a longer deal, and I’ve done that.

“I have been rewarded for my hard work. All I’ve got to do now is settle down and think about my future and look forward to next season.

“There was no hesitation from me really. I want to be here as long as I can. I can see what Gus has done here is brilliant. It’s a big club on the way up, so I was more than happy to sign.”

Bridcutt helped Albion win League One and is particularly remembered for a stunning long-range volley at Withdean on 5 March 2011 that proved to be the winner in a 4-3 win over Carlisle United. He was also on the scoresheet when Albion twice came from behind against Dagenham and Redbridge and eventually won another 4-3 thriller to clinch promotion back to the second tier.

Comfortably taking the step up in class in his stride, Bridcutt was pivotal to Albion reaching the Championship play-offs, but, after Poyet’s departure, rumours began to swirl that the young midfielder would follow him to the north east.

It didn’t happen immediately but, after handing in a transfer request, he finally made the move in January 2014 after featuring in 151 games for the Seagulls.

Given the opportunity to reflect on that time, Bridcutt admitted to the excellent podcast Football, the Albion and Me that he should never have left but, at the time, he didn’t feel the Albion did enough to persuade him to stay when Premier League and Championship clubs were sniffing around.

“Because they had so many good offers, they didn’t try to keep me,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave the club. I was very much happy there. But at the time I had other offers. The club knew about this and were back and forth with other clubs and turned down lots of offers.

“All I wanted was to be rewarded for the time I had given to the club,” he said, maintaining that, regardless of Poyet going, he wanted to part of the club’s long term goal of getting to the Premier League.

Scotland cap

In March 2013, Bridcutt’s consistent Albion form earned him a call-up to the Scotland international squad. Newly appointed manager Gordon Strachan gave him his first cap against Serbia, although the 2-0 defeat ended the Scots’ hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, and Bridcutt collected a booking in the 77th minute.

It wasn’t until three years later, during his spell at Leeds, that Bridcutt earned his second and only other cap. It came when he was a second half substitute in a 1-0 win over Denmark and some observers considered Bridcutt lucky not to see red for a robust tackle in the game at Hampden Park.

Although born in Reading, on 8 May 1989, he qualified to play for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandfather.

In July 2021, Bridcutt gave an illuminating and excoriating insight into his move and time on Wearside to a Sunderland podcast.

He recalled how on the day he signed for the club Poyet called him at midnight informing him he’d be playing the next day in the Tyne-Wear derby game and, before putting the phone down, said: “You better not be shit because I’ve pushed hard to get you here!”

Thankfully, Bridcutt had an outstanding debut in place of the injured Lee Cattermole in a 3-0 win for the Black Cats over their arch rivals.

Poyet purred: “Liam Bridcutt knows the defensive midfielder role I want us to play perfectly. So I was not worried.

If there’s one person that knows the role better than anyone else in the world, it is Liam and the best thing for him is that we won, we kept a clean sheet and he got through 90 minutes having not played all month.”

Poyet was rarely shy in singing Bridcutt’s praises, once telling the Mail: “If I was coach of Real (Madrid) I would take him because he deserves to go to the highest level.

“As a holding midfielder, there is no better player in the division. The best thing about Liam is that he understands me to an incredible level. The way he understands what I want from him is spectacular.”

However, Bridcutt reckoned a lot of players Poyet inherited at Sunderland were scared to play the sort of football Albion’s players had readily embraced and he also questioned their professionalism, saying: “It was almost like he (Poyet) was fighting a losing battle because there was literally lads out every other night and you could see that in our performances. We were terrible.”

Supporters piled on the pressure too and, although Bridcutt reckoned he could cope with the barbs, someone like Marcos Alonso responded badly to the stick but proved he was a decent player after he moved to Chelsea.

After keeping Sunderland in the Premier League against the odds, Poyet signed a new two-year contract in May 2014 but was sacked the following March. His successor, Dick Advocaat, froze Bridcutt out and, eventually, in November 2015, Steve Evans took him on loan at Leeds United.

In the early part of 2016, ahead of playing against Brighton at the Amex, Bridcutt confessed he’d be open to a return to the south coast. He told the Argus: “It was probably my best period in football. That was my opportunity to properly showcase what I could do and I had brilliant times there.

“I know the place well and I’d call it home. My first child was born there and it’s where my family started. It’s where my career really started and it’s a club where, if there was the right opportunity to go back at some stage, I definitely would.

“Even when I first joined, the club always had direction. There was always a plan. Nothing happened by accident. They hit a bit of a rocky patch after losing Gus (Poyet) but, like most clubs, it happens. They seem to have got their stability back. I’m happy to see that.”

As it was, Bridcutt stayed at Elland Road until the end of the season and, after Garry Monk’s appointment as manager, he was signed on a permanent basis in August 2016. A month later he was appointed Leeds captain, taking over the role from Sol Bamba.

A delighted Bridcutt said: “It’s a real honour, the manager has shown great faith in me by giving me the captaincy.

“It puts a little bit more pressure on me but that’s something I like. I’ve always been a player that’s thrived under pressure, and I think that’s the way to get the best out of me.”

Unfortunately a broken foot saw Bridcutt miss a large part of the season and the managerial revolving door at Leeds saw Monk replaced in the summer of 2017 by Thomas Christiansen.

After 53 games for United, Bridcutt also found himself heading for the exit, joining Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest on a three-year deal for a fee thought to be around £1m.

Former Forest favourite Garry Birtles was suitably impressed by the new signing, telling the Nottingham Post: “He’s 28 so you’d think he will hit his peak for Forest, having signed a three-year deal.

“He was Leeds United’s captain last season as they finished in seventh place in the Championship. I saw him play for Leeds and, I have to say, he was very impressive. He’s got that creative ability, and his all-round game was good.”

While Bridcutt played plenty of games under Warburton, when another managerial change saw the arrival of Aitor Karanka, his game time dried up.

Bridcutt spent the first part of the 2019-20 season on loan at League One Bolton Wanderers, where he was made captain by boss Keith Hill, and was reunited with former Albion and Sunderland teammate Will Buckley.

But after his recall to Forest in January 2020 he was then dispatched on loan to Lincoln City for the remainder of the season.

It wasn’t long before Bridcutt was captaining the Imps and in August 2020 he joined them on a permanent basis after his Forest contract expired.

Injury sidelined Bridcutt from Colin Appleton’s side as Lincoln beat Sunderland over a two-legged League One play-off semi-final in May 2021 but Bridcutt skippered the Imps as they narrowly lost 2-1 to Blackpool in the final at Wembley.

Ahead of the Sunderland clash, Lincoln fan Gary Hutchinson, of The Stacey West Lincoln fan website, told SB Nation Roker Report: “I love Bridcutt. He is the pivot around which our entire side function. Playing in the four role he picks the ball deep, protects the back four and is always willing to add to an attack. There are options in the middle of the park – Jorge Grant usually deputises there and Max Sanders who recently signed from Brighton is the long-term heir-apparent for Bridcutt.”

Released by Lincoln at the end of the 2021-22 season, Bridcutt, aged 33, was eventually reunited with Appleton at Blackpool; his signing on a one-year contract for the Championship side announced on 30 September 2022.

“I’m excited to be here and working with the manager again,” Bridcutt told the Blackpool website. “He was brilliant for me over the last two years – he put a lot of trust and faith in me.

“We’ve got a good understanding in terms of what he wants from his teams and his players day-to-day. I get that and it’s how I work and how I’ve always worked. He knows what I’m like and what he can get out of me.”

Appleton added: “We know the quality and the experience he’s got – at Premier League and Championship level – and he’s a fantastic character who will also bring a lot of things off the pitch as well. His addition will be a real plus.”

Determined Joe pursued his dream to the top

JOE BENNETT played more league matches (41) than any other outfield Brighton player during the 2014-15 season.

Not bad for a loan signing who’d been edged out at Aston Villa after a season in their first team.

Bennett’s appearance record for the Seagulls was perhaps even more noteworthy in that it spanned the reigns of three managers.

Brought in by Sami Hyypia, the defender retained the left-back berth during Nathan Jones’ temporary spell in charge right through to the end of the season after Chris Hughton had taken over.

Bennett hasn’t been afraid to travel the length and breadth of the country plying his trade as a footballer.

It all began in his home town, Rochdale, where he was born on 28 March 1990. His early promise with a football saw him join up with the under-eights at their centre of excellence.

When he was 10, his parents separated and he moved to the north east to live with his mum and stepdad in Swainby, eight miles north east of Northallerton.

He quickly got fixed up with Sunday league side Northallerton Town. One of their coaches, Gary Ramsbotham, also scouted for Middlesbrough and through him Bennett went for a trial and got taken on.

His progress suffered a setback when he was 15. He was de-registered by Boro and had a year away from the club, during which time he worked hard on his fitness and strength before being taken back on.

“The year away really helped me focus on my football and I realised then how badly I wanted to make it,” he told Tony Higgins in an interview for gazettelive.co.uk.

As he progressed through the youth ranks, Bennett, who’d originally been a striker, was converted to a left-back by Boro coach Steve Agnew.

He also had a perfect work experience stint from school when he got to go training with Boro’s under 18 side, and he relished the opportunity of being a ballboy at Riverside home games.

Eventually, he made it to the first team, Gareth Southgate giving him his debut as a substitute in the final game of the 2008-09 Premier League season against West Ham, although Boro had already been relegated by then.

Bennett thought he’d get chances to play in the Championship, but new boss Gordon Strachan turned to more experienced players, and Bennett only made 13 appearances in 2009-10.  

It was a different story following the arrival of Tony Mowbray and the young full-back was a regular over the following two seasons, eventually starting 84 matches for Boro and going on as a sub eight times.

He earned the club’s young player of the year title at the end of the 2010-11 season and the North East Football Writers’ Association’s young player of the year accolade in 2011-12.

2011 was a good year for him because he also caught the eye of the international selectors and won three caps for England under-21s.

His debut came in a 1-0 defeat away to Italy on 8 February 2011, he was a sub for Ryan Bertrand in England’s 2-1 home defeat to Iceland on 28 March, and he started the 5 September game against Israel at Barnsley’s Oakwell ground which England won 4-1, with Jonjo Shelvey and Ross Barkley pulling the strings in midfield.

In August 2012, Premier League Aston Villa paid £3m to take him to Villa Park. Boss Paul Lambert told avfc.co.uk: “Joe’s a really good player, young and hungry to succeed and he’s exactly the type of player we want here at the football club.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he will thrive in this environment and he fits in exactly with what we are trying to build here.

“His energy level is really high and he can get up and down the pitch really well, which will be important for the team and important in terms of how we want to play as a team.

“He’s an exciting signing for the club and I’m really pleased we’ve been able to take him here.”

While Bennett made 30 appearances for Villa in his first season, increased competition and back and knee injuries restricted his involvement in 2013-14 to only seven matches.

At the start of the 2014-15 season, Albion had been expecting Irish international Stephen Ward to join permanently after his season on loan from Wolves. But his last-minute u-turn en route to putting pen to paper on the deal meant the Seagulls were in the market for a new left-back because new boss Hyypia wanted someone more experienced than Adam Chicksen.

With playing time at Villa again looking like only being sporadic, Bennett went along to Elland Road on 19 August 2014 and liked what he saw as Albion won 2-0 in what would turn out to be one of the few decent performances under Hyypia.

“I went to watch them against Leeds and I think that just made me realise what a good team they are,” said Bennett. “They just kept the ball really well, from the back to the front, defended well and they looked like they had a lot of energy.

“The full-backs like to go forward as well which is part of my game as I like to go forward and get involved a bit more up the pitch, so it was nice to see.

“I spoke to the manager and he told me a bit about how he likes the team to play and how I could fit in to that, and hopefully I can.”

After the Hyypia reign came to an early end, Bennett remained suitably diplomatic in interviews and in a matchday programme feature spoke about the positive influence on his game of former full-back Hughton.

“Obviously it’s good for me on a personal level having a former defender as manager,” he said. “He knows his stuff and is there to give me plenty of advice, especially in the left-back role. Since the gaffer came in he’s been working hard on defensive shape and being more compact as a team.”

He spoke about Hughton’s greater emphasis on defending compared to Hyypia’s desire for the full-backs to push up. “I’ve got a more defensive role now but I’m really enjoying my football under Chris. I feel I’m learning all the time,” he said.

At one point it looked like Bennett might join Albion on a permanent basis, but when Tim Sherwood took over from Lambert, he indicated the full-back may yet have a future at Villa Park.

The new Villa boss ran his eye over the defender and said: “Joe has done very, very well. I am now looking forward to seeing him in pre-season.”

He did enough to earn a one-year contract extension and scored his first goal for the club in a 5-3 League Cup win over Notts County. But, with Aly Cissokho still ahead of him in the pecking order, and with only an hour to go before the end of the August transfer window, Bennett was loaned to newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth.

Ostensibly he was signed as cover for Tyrone Mings and Charlie Daniels, but he hoped the move would give him the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League.

“I’m really excited about the prospect of playing for Bournemouth and hopefully helping them perform well this season,” he told Villa’s website. “They’ve already made a positive start to the new season and, like everyone else, I’ve been really impressed with the fantastic job Eddie Howe has done. They have a really good side.”

Unfortunately, it didn’t unfold how Bennett had hoped. He didn’t make any appearances for Bournemouth and returned early to Villa Park after suffering an achilles tendon injury.

Recovered from the injury, Bennett joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan in mid-January 2016 until the end of the season. Again, a permanent move looked on the cards, especially when new Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo indicated he wouldn’t be part of his first-team plans.

Villa chairman Tony Xia blocked the move, not wishing to sell to a Championship rival, but, within a fortnight, Bennett moved on a free transfer to fellow Championship side Cardiff City. A calf injury meant he had to wait two months before making his debut, but he went on to spend an eventful five years in South Wales, riding a rollercoaster emotionally, on and off the field.

Nevertheless, his popularity with the Bluebirds was perhaps best encapsulated by chairman Mehmet Dalman who described him as “the best left back in the league”.

Bennett endured a somewhat turbulent relationship with boss Neil Warnock, although he admitted in an extended interview with Oscar Johnson: “He is a nice, genuine and down-to-earth guy. He was really good to me during his time here.

“At first, I don’t think he really fancied playing me to be honest, but I was the only left-back at the club, so he didn’t have a choice.

“Our relationship got better as it went along and he was really good for me both personally and as a player.”

That didn’t seem to be the case in January 2018 when Bennett was in the headlines for the wrong reason. He escaped what looked like a straight red card for a bad foul on Leroy Sane in a FA Cup tie against Manchester City but eventually saw red for a second booking, which incurred Warnock’s wrath.

“I was disappointed he got sent off at the end,” said Warnock. “Obviously he doesn’t want to go to Leeds next weekend, because it was an absolutely pathetic challenge when on a booking. To do something like that I think is disrespectful to teammates.”

Even so, Bennett was a regular fixture in defence during Cardiff’s brief spell in the Premier League, playing 30 of the 38 matches.

“Being relegated after one season was obviously gutting, but nobody had given us a chance of staying up before the season began, so to battle as long and hard as we did was definitely something to be proud of,” he said.

“We had a really good team and got some really good results over the course of the season. I think that, with a little bit of luck, we could maybe have stayed up. If VAR had been in use, we might have done it because we had some horrible decisions go against us.”

In March 2019, Bennett opened up to Dominic Booth about how it felt playing against the backdrop of losing the father who had first urged him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

He remained with Cardiff and was enjoying a new lease of life after Mick McCarthy’s appointment as manager when he suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in March 2021 that put him out of the game for the rest of the season.

After surgery, he made a swift-than-expected recovery and, even though he’d been given a free transfer at the end of his contract, he continued his recovery by training with the Bluebirds.

“The club had a duty of care to aid the player’s rehabilitation and, as such, Bennett has been at the club’s Vale of Glamorgan HQ gradually working his way back to fitness,” reported walesonline.co.uk.

McCarthy explained that a new deal had been in the offing before the injury, but it never got signed. “I was quite sad about it because I spoke to Benno when I came in, I knew his contract was running out,” he said. “I discussed with him about staying, then injury comes and it changed it all.”

Bennett was not the only departure at the end of the season, and a statement on the club website read: “We would like to place on record our sincerest thanks and best wishes to Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett and Junior Hoilett who will be moving on this summer upon the expiration of their current deals.

“The three players joined us in 2016 and would go on to become key figures in our 2017-18 promotion squad. Between them they made a total of 478 appearances across a five-year period, representing a significant contribution to the club’s recent progress and history.”

Bennett subsequently moved north and signed a two-year deal with Wigan Athletic.