Brighton’s first Australian tips Mooy, Ryan to spearhead salvation

David Clarkson - the first Australian to play for Brighton & Hove Albion - is convinced predecessors Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy won’t suffer the same “soul destroying” relegation fate he endured there.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Australian duo Aaron Mooy (L) and Mat Ryan Source: Getty Images

A horror run-in to the Premier League season has the Seagulls rolling up their sleeves for the fight of their lives, against the likes of Arsenal, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, as well as fellow strugglers Norwich and Southampton.

However platinum-blond midfielder Clarkson - a cult figure among fans during his 18 months at the club back in the early ‘90s - believes Ryan and Mooy can spearhead salvation.

Clarkson, now 52, departed after the Seagulls crashed from the Second Division to the Third back in 1992.

It was a nightmare end to his second season on England’s south-coast with the Tasmanian, then just 23, declining a two-year extension and returning home for family reasons. 

“Getting relegated is a horrible empty feeling, you know you’ve let the fans and the entire town down,” said Clarkson, who was a driving force of the unsuccessful bid to bring an A-League team to Tasmania.

“It’s something that, as a professional, you never forget and both Maty and Aaron will be digging as deep as they can to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“It’s a soul destroying experience.

“I think with five of their last nine games at home - even though they’ve got to face the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool - they’ll find a way to stay up.

“Aaron went through it (relegation) last year with Huddersfield and he’ll know what it feels like.

“He won’t want to go to that place again. There’s also the financial side with staying in the EPL worth untold millions.

“You’ve seen so many times with relegated clubs that they lose their best talent and struggle to get back up because the Championship is so cut-throat.”

Brighton, whose clash this weekend against Arsenal has fallen victim to the coronavirus, sit two points above the drop zone with nine games left.

“I know they’ve been struggling for goals (their tally of 32 is the fourth worst in the EPL) and I’d love to see Aaron chip in with a few between now and the end of the season,” added Clarkson.

“Brighton don’t have the strikers who are going to hit for or five past quality opposition and they’ll need to be tight at the back, and try and jag a goal at the other end.

“Aaron’s more than capable of doing that - and can deliver something spectacular.

“There’s no better time than now for him to step that aspect of his game.

“Aaron has scored twice in the league (with an assist thrown in) and they need him to get on the end of a few more.

“His their go-to man in midfield, a lot goes through him, and Brighton need him to be at full tilt.

“I think he needs to find a bit more consistency - but it’s difficult in his position and also playing in a team that’s trying to survive.

“He’ll know what needs to be done - and hopefully he’ll come up with some little moments of inspiration over the next couple of months.”

Ryan, whose form has won him the adoration of Seagulls fans, must just “keep on doing what he’s been doing”, according to Clarkson, who played 13 games for the club after signing from NSL club Sunshine George Cross.

The year he arrived they missed out on promotion to the First Division by falling short in the playoffs.

“Maty has had a hell of a lot of work to do but he’s been so consistent, and you can see why the fans and the club believe in him so much,” continued Clarkson.

“He’ll be a massive part of them staying up and he’s got the quality and the character to stand up to the pressure.

“When you’re in Brighton’s position having a shot-stopper of his calibre is absolutely vital.”