Chris Hughton has changed his assessment of Albion’s opening day draw at Derby.
But he is no doubts over his verdict on their first five Championship matches.
It is very much of the “not bad, could do better” variety.
Hughton welcomed the international break as a chance to assess his side’s start to the season as he reflected on the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle 13 days ago.
After taking time to review matters, the one change has been how he saw that 0-0 draw at the iPro Stadium on the opening day.
In doing so, he probably brought himself into line with many media men who spoke to him at pitchside.
Hughton said back on opening day that the stalemate was a fair result and sounded fairly happy with it.
A few of those listening to him and recording his words were a little surprised.
Recent weeks have indicated that a draw with the Rams was not quite as good a result as it seemed at the time.
So how does Hughton see that start to the season now as he team prepare for part two of the campaign?
Glenn Murray goes close at Derby
He told The Argus: “Very mixed. If we look at the games, then the first series of games was good – and good results.
“Probably in only the last two we wouldn’t have been happy with the level of performance.*Our other away game at Derby, I thought we were very good.
“Probably I understated it at the end. Probably it was a game we were worthy of winning.
“Of course the results in the two home games were very good.”
Albion look to maintain that home momentum against a Brentford side beaten at Huddersfield and Rotherham so far on their travels.
They then tackle a Huddersfield side who have won at Newcastle and drawn at Aston Villa.
The Terriers went to St James’ Park in the second game of the season and caught Rafa Benitez’s men unawares.
The Albion boss said: “That is what was so disappointing about Newcastle.
“They had good periods in the game but they hadn’t really got into their stride.”
Albion were disappointing at Newcastle
Now Albion have put a little bit of pressure on themselves back at the Amex with one point from their last two away games – and two points from a possible nine on the road in total.
That eight-point tally is probably par when compared to what fans would have looked for and expected at the start of the season.
The two dropped points at Derby and the nature of the performance at Newcastle make it feel slightly underwhelming.
Article continues after...[h=3]More Articles[/h]
But home form has been excellent – and so has the buzz around the Amex.
The Seagulls remain unbeaten at the Amex in 14 games, dating back to New Year’s Day. And the 3-0 dismissals of Nottingham Forest and Rotherham had a bit more panache than opening 1-0 successes over Forest and Blackburn last year.
Crucially, though, they came back from the first international break of 2015-16 with a third home win, by a slender 1-0 over Hull in emotional circumstances.
Hughton acknowledges the importance of tomorrow’s outcome, stylish or not.
He said: “It’s about a result on Saturday. It will be an indication of which team has settled back into a rhythm quicker and we have to make sure we do that.
“We have to get back down to what we do best. We have back-to-back home games and we want to start that with getting a good win.
“With any team that wants to have any type of success, generally it’s based on a very good home record, so that’s something we want to continue.
“The crowd expectation has risen but also the noise levels have also increased, which has been brilliant.
“We know away from home it’s tough and, even at St James’ Park, they were heard.
“The support has been excellent and we’ll need that because we want a good home record.”
Original article
But he is no doubts over his verdict on their first five Championship matches.
It is very much of the “not bad, could do better” variety.
Hughton welcomed the international break as a chance to assess his side’s start to the season as he reflected on the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle 13 days ago.
After taking time to review matters, the one change has been how he saw that 0-0 draw at the iPro Stadium on the opening day.
In doing so, he probably brought himself into line with many media men who spoke to him at pitchside.
Hughton said back on opening day that the stalemate was a fair result and sounded fairly happy with it.
A few of those listening to him and recording his words were a little surprised.
Recent weeks have indicated that a draw with the Rams was not quite as good a result as it seemed at the time.
So how does Hughton see that start to the season now as he team prepare for part two of the campaign?
Glenn Murray goes close at Derby
He told The Argus: “Very mixed. If we look at the games, then the first series of games was good – and good results.
“Probably in only the last two we wouldn’t have been happy with the level of performance.*Our other away game at Derby, I thought we were very good.
“Probably I understated it at the end. Probably it was a game we were worthy of winning.
“Of course the results in the two home games were very good.”
Albion look to maintain that home momentum against a Brentford side beaten at Huddersfield and Rotherham so far on their travels.
They then tackle a Huddersfield side who have won at Newcastle and drawn at Aston Villa.
The Terriers went to St James’ Park in the second game of the season and caught Rafa Benitez’s men unawares.
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The Albion boss said: “That is what was so disappointing about Newcastle.
“They had good periods in the game but they hadn’t really got into their stride.”
Albion were disappointing at Newcastle
Now Albion have put a little bit of pressure on themselves back at the Amex with one point from their last two away games – and two points from a possible nine on the road in total.
That eight-point tally is probably par when compared to what fans would have looked for and expected at the start of the season.
The two dropped points at Derby and the nature of the performance at Newcastle make it feel slightly underwhelming.
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But home form has been excellent – and so has the buzz around the Amex.
The Seagulls remain unbeaten at the Amex in 14 games, dating back to New Year’s Day. And the 3-0 dismissals of Nottingham Forest and Rotherham had a bit more panache than opening 1-0 successes over Forest and Blackburn last year.
Crucially, though, they came back from the first international break of 2015-16 with a third home win, by a slender 1-0 over Hull in emotional circumstances.
Hughton acknowledges the importance of tomorrow’s outcome, stylish or not.
He said: “It’s about a result on Saturday. It will be an indication of which team has settled back into a rhythm quicker and we have to make sure we do that.
“We have to get back down to what we do best. We have back-to-back home games and we want to start that with getting a good win.
“With any team that wants to have any type of success, generally it’s based on a very good home record, so that’s something we want to continue.
“The crowd expectation has risen but also the noise levels have also increased, which has been brilliant.
“We know away from home it’s tough and, even at St James’ Park, they were heard.
“The support has been excellent and we’ll need that because we want a good home record.”
Original article