Brighton (h) review - Square pegs, round holes

Brighton ended their bad run of form which had seen them win only one of nine league games (they'd also failed to beat us in their last nine attempts) at our expense by defeating Town 2-1 at the John Smiths Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Two first-half goals from the impressive Will Buckley were enough to wrap up the points, and although Simon Church grabbed a late consolation  we never really deserved anything from the game.

Brighton played some decent stuff and while it was Buckley who took the headlines Liam Bridcutt was an immense presence in midfield. For me the game was won and lost in the middle of the park where in the first half especially Brighton won all the important battles, Bridcutt in particular standing out.

The former Chelsea youth man seemed to find space every time he was on the ball, and denied our players space when we were in possession. If you were looking for a polar opposite of Bridcutt on Saturday then Town offered it in the shape of Oliver Norwood. Having been hyped up so much by Town fans after a decent start to the season the Northern Ireland international is really struggling for form currently.

Oliver Norwood is struggling for form

The early season composure on the ball has disappeared and Norwood now seems a little nervy when in possession. Perhaps even more worryingly at this level where there are so many good midfielders who can punish teams, Norwood bares an uncanny resemblance to Anton Robinson when not on the ball. No real lack of endeavour but all too often he's left chasing shadows while the ball is just passed around him.

Oliver is an important part of the squad, but his inclusion on Saturday was a major factor in us losing the game. Could Novak have taken one of the chances he failed to convert? Maybe. Could we have defended better for both of their goals? Maybe. Could the referee have given us a few more decision? Maybe.

Could we have coped better in the middle of the park had Adam Clayton been partnering Keith Southern instead of Norwood? Yes.

I'm a believer in picking a team based on form, and currently Adam Clayton is in great form. He's been our best player in almost every game we've played in the last couple of months and earned the right to play in the middle of the park against Barnsley last week. He started the season playing on the right but a string of good performances earned him the chance to play in his favoured central position, and he didn't disappoint.

Why then was he dropped back to the right against Brighton just to make way for the well out of form Norwood? Play your best player in his best position, it seems pretty simple to me. If Clayton and Southern had started the game in the middle of the park it would have been an entirely different game, but as it was Brighton dominated the midfield in the first half and were out of sight by the time Clayton was pushed infield.

Clayton closing down the brilliant Liam Bridcutt

The man who came on to replace Norwood and swap positions with Clayton was Scott Arfield, and for me he's someone who deserves a chance. His only start this season was in the opening game against Cardiff and he didn't do too much wrong - if it means we get to see Clayton in a central role give him a go. Norwood will hopefully rediscover his form sooner rather than later, but for the time being he needs dropping.

Square pegs, round holes - I don't get it.