Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has hit back at social media criticism of Adam Webster after the centre-back’s mistake in the 4-2 defeat at Chelsea.
Webster deactivated his X — formerly Twitter — account after apologising for the error and then receiving abuse for an under-hit backpass which led to Nicolas Jackson setting up Cole Palmer for the first of his four goals for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.
It was Webster’s first Premier League start under Hurzeler in place of the injured Jan Paul van Hecke in the 29-year-old’s sixth season at the club.
Hurzeler, speaking at his press conference on Friday for Sunday’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur, said: “All the people who criticise him on social media, I think we should invite them here (to the training ground) and they should experience a day with Adam Webster. How professional this guy, is how helpful this guy is, how supportive, what a great leader he is.
“We should see the whole situation. He hasn’t played many games so far in the Premier League (this season). Of course, he played in the Carabao Cup, but not the Premier League, and then he gets his chance.
“Mistakes happen. There will always be mistakes, otherwise there won’t be any goals. He made an easy mistake, he knows it, but we shouldn’t judge the player and the person behind it after one mistake.
“I see the whole context, I see the person behind this player. He is an unbelievable player for us, an unbelievable leader for us, so supportive of his team-mates, so helpful for his team-mates.
“He has played great games for this club, so I will always protect him and give him the belief and trust he needs. He is mentally strong enough to pass away mistakes. In the end, for development, it is also important to experience bad things, because if you only experience positive things you can’t develop yourself.
“It’s part of life, making mistakes. It’s important to learn from it and it’s also important to look at the future and not to live in the past, to stay positive, to still have belief in yourself. He has the belief from me, the whole coaching staff and his team-mates.”
The Webster incident has prompted a warning to members of Brighton’s official supporters club of expulsion if they take part in online abuse.
Supporters club chair Nigel Summers, speaking in the October newsletter to members, said: “Adam Webster came under some intolerable abuse online after Saturday’s match at Stamford Bridge.
“To enable us to become an official supporters club we signed an undertaking that we would do all we could to ensure that none of our members would be responsible for this type of behaviour towards any club employee, and that if we found anyone was they would be expelled from BHASC and reported to the club.
“We plan to uphold this promise and if we do become aware of such behaviour, it is important that we make sure that members understand the potential consequences.”
Hurzeler will choose between Webster and Brazilian Igor Julio for Tottenham’s visit on Sundayin the continuing absence of Van Hecke due to a groin injury.
(Robin Jones/Getty Images)
