Manager Chris Hughton has spoken about Brighton’s home form as we go into this week’s clash with West Bromwich Albion.
With the international break and deadline day behind us, Hughton was meeting with the media yesterday to preview the upcoming game and Sky Sports have him pointing out how key home form will be for the side this year as we look to consolidate ourselves in the top flight following last season’s Championship promotion.
Yet to score a goal and with one point from three games, Hughton admitted he spent deadline day trying to bring in a ‘different type of striker’ but we obviously failed in that aim unfortunately.
He can however take positives from our performances and he wants to see us back that up with points now.
‘We should have got three points at Watford but the level of performance was better, so certainly some positives from them three games and of course it’s up to us to take the positives forward now. We’ve been quite close in the games, even in the Leicester game where I thought we had really good possession, so I think that’s the reason why the spirit is good. Irrespective of how our season goes, we are going to lose more games this season than what we have done last season or the season before.’
With a number of signings completed across the transfer window, Hughton was largely pleased with our work but the lack of adding a striker did stand out.
‘We have brought in seven players over this window. I think it’s common knowledge that we were looking for a different type of striker to bring in. We weren’t able to do that, so I think what you have to do very quickly is you have to be able to move on from there.’
Questioned about differences between the Premier League and the Championship, he went on to say.
‘Always the big difference between the two divisions are what we can get away with and what we perhaps have been able to get away with in the last couple of season, where we’ve been strong in that division, but the quality of this division can hurt you. I don’t think we have come up against anything that we didn’t anticipate or that they didn’t already know. For the majority of our lads, even though they haven’t played in the Premier League, they know it.’
Hughton went on to say.
‘With the coverage we have now, I don’t think there are too many people that can’t see the type of quality in the teams and the individual players, so I think it’s a question of making sure we play to our strengths. It will be about adjusting, it will be about bouncing back from performances or results that haven’t gone our way to clearing our minds and looking forward to the next one, so if anything games become bigger.’
The gaffer was quick to point out the positives he’s seen in the performances so far though.
‘I think we have a very realistic set of people around us and realistic crowd. They will know that each game will be difficult in its own merits. I’ve spoken before about the benefits of playing at home and particularly in this division, how vital our home form will be.’
With West Brom next up at the Amex, Hughton is keenly aware of what to expect from Tony Pulis’ side, and they’ve made a bright start to the campaign with two wins and a draw so will arrive in good confidence.
‘They are a very established Premier League team now with a very established Premier League manager so they are all tough, but we are at home, and I don’t think it will be rocket science that on how ever we do this season, you’re generally going to pick up more points at home than away from home. That’s on the law of averages and, if anything, makes the home games even bigger. They are a very good side and I think they have recruited very well again and added on top of what I think was a very good Premier League squad as a team. But we know what the team is about. They are a very tough team to break down. They have really good quality.’
