At a glance
- Jack Hinshelwood the key on Saturday
- How Brighton can exploit Wolves
- 20-year-old’s recent form
This weekend, Brighton will take on Wolves as their bid for European football continues. While the Seagulls are certainly the favourites, they have slipped up against this opposition before. So, how can Brighton exploit this already relegated side, and who will be the key to unlocking their defence?
Under Fabian Hurzeler, Albion’s recent resurgence has come from central control, aggressive pressing, and intelligent movement between the lines. It’s a system that naturally puts Jack Hinshelwood at the centre of everything.
READ MORE: How Fabian Hurzeler’s Tactics Revived Brighton’s European Push – Read Brighton | Read Brighton
Why Wolves Are Vulnerable
The 20-year-old’s shift into the Number 10 role has aligned perfectly with Brighton’s improved form, and his skill set looks tailor-made to hurt this Wolves side. While many teams instinctively attack Wolves out wide, that often plays into their hands as their back line can deal with crosses. What they cannot handle is movement and overloads through the middle. Yet that is exactly where Hinshelwood comes alive.
Hurzeler has reshaped Brighton into a side that invites pressure centrally before breaking lines quickly with sharp, vertical passing. Hinshelwood operates in those tight spaces, constantly drifting between midfield and defence, receiving on the half-turn, and driving the team forward. His awareness and timing allow him to find pockets that other players simply do not see.
Wolves consistently leave those spaces open. Their midfield often gets stretched, especially in transition, while defenders can drift wide and lose control of the central lane. That leaves a dangerous gap just outside the box and Hinshelwood has shown he knows exactly how to exploit it.
Hinshelwood’s Role
His recent form only adds to that threat. Two goals in his last two games reflect a player growing in confidence, but it is his movement that really stands out. He does not wait for the game to come to him. Instead, he attacks space repeatedly, making deep runs beyond the striker and forcing defenders into uncomfortable decisions.
Step out to engage him, and space opens in behind. Sit off, and he has time to turn and create. Either way, he becomes difficult to contain.
His connection with Pascal Gross also plays a huge role. Gross controls the tempo from deeper areas, drawing pressure and picking the right moments to progress the ball. Hinshelwood feeds off that control and arrives in the spaces Gross helps create. It is a natural partnership, and one that perfectly reflects Brighton’s more cohesive structure in recent weeks.
Out of possession, Hinshelwood brings just as much value. Wolves have struggled to build attacks with any fluency, often looking predictable and slow in possession. Brighton’s press now targets those moments aggressively, and Hinshelwood’s energy and defensive instincts allow him to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately turn defence into attack.
This game will not be decided out wide. It will be decided through the middle, in the spaces Wolves continue to leave exposed. And this weekend, no Brighton player will be better equipped to take advantage of that than Hinshelwood.
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