Chris Hughton believes Albion are about to come up against two potential promotion chasers at the Amex.
Hughton suspects today’s opponents Brentford will have a good season under Dean Smith. They will certainly play good football.
And he is willing to suggest Huddersfield’s flying start under David Wagner is no flash in the pan either.
The Terriers, with wins over Newcastle and Wolves already to their name, come to the Amex on Tuesday.
With the Seagulls in need of a couple of wins to get right back in the thick of the race at the top, it sets things up nicely.
Hughton said: “There are the teams that are fancied teams to be right up there but this year I think there will be some other strong contenders, really pushing.
“We face two of those in three days, that both have a chance of pushing this season, so we know we are going to have to be on our game.”
Alan Judge has been out injured for some time and other key men like Andre Gray, Moses Odubajo, Jota and Jonathan Douglas have moved on.
But Brentford have a trademark way of playing and Hughton was asked what his side would have to do well today – and stop Brentford doing well.
Ryan Woods makes things tick for Brentford
He replied: “We have got to stop them having the influence on the ball they can have.
“They are not the biggest side but they have a lot of energy in the team. They want to get on the ball.
“We have got to stop them having the effect they want to have on the ball.
“We have got to impose our game on them. We are the team who are playing at home.
“You know you can’t stop all their good play because they have got some gifted players on the ball.
“But we are the home team and we have been in good form at home.
“It is so varied now, this division but I think in the next two home games we are up against two similar styles of team.*Both are very expansive, both very good on the ball.
“Huddersfield have been excellent in the games I have seen.”
Hughton was reminded that despite winning 3-0, Albion have had to spend a lot of time in defence in the opening half-hour of home games against Nottingham Forest and Rotherham.
Fans and players have remained patient and the pay-off has come later in the game.
Albion had to be patient before powering to victory against Nottingham Forest, above, and Rotherham
He observed: “You can’t always have things your own way.*There are going to be periods of the game when you have to concede possession.
“There are going to be periods of the game when the opposition are better than you.
“They are the periods where you have to make sure you are solid as a team, not to concede and then impose your own game on them.”
Article continues after...[h=3]More Articles[/h]
The Albion boss makes no secret of the fact his team missed an opportunity at Newcastle.
Sheffield Wednesday showed signs in Brentford’s last game, although the wasteful Owls had to wait until deep into added time before Sam Hutchinson’s improvised header gave them a 1-1 draw at Griffin Park.
“I suppose you are looking at the teams who were up at the top end last season, perhaps Sheffield Wednesday and Derby in particular,” Hughton said when asked if some teams had started more slowly than anticipated.
“They are two very strong sides who, I am sure, will be at the top end of the table.”
That is what we are talking about this season. The top end of the table. A promotion push.
Albion are trying use the disappointment of last season’s finale as motivation to go one better this time.
The subject is out there. Whereas this time last year, players just spoke about the next game, these days the end goal is freely discussed too.
It is a subtle change of emphasis – but an important one.
Can that be a problem – or a good thing?
“Whether it’s good or bad you have to embrace it,” Hughton said.
“People look at us differently now to how they did at the beginning of last season. That is not only us. They will look at Sheffield Wednesday in a completely different light to the beginning of last season.
“They will expect the likes of Norwich, Villa and Derby to be right up there as well.
“Within the squad itself, you want expectations to be high.
“It is then down to us as a staff and a group of players to achieve that but we won’t have changed any of our thoughts and how we want to go about things.”
Original article
Hughton suspects today’s opponents Brentford will have a good season under Dean Smith. They will certainly play good football.
And he is willing to suggest Huddersfield’s flying start under David Wagner is no flash in the pan either.
The Terriers, with wins over Newcastle and Wolves already to their name, come to the Amex on Tuesday.
With the Seagulls in need of a couple of wins to get right back in the thick of the race at the top, it sets things up nicely.
Hughton said: “There are the teams that are fancied teams to be right up there but this year I think there will be some other strong contenders, really pushing.
“We face two of those in three days, that both have a chance of pushing this season, so we know we are going to have to be on our game.”
Alan Judge has been out injured for some time and other key men like Andre Gray, Moses Odubajo, Jota and Jonathan Douglas have moved on.
But Brentford have a trademark way of playing and Hughton was asked what his side would have to do well today – and stop Brentford doing well.
He replied: “We have got to stop them having the influence on the ball they can have.
“They are not the biggest side but they have a lot of energy in the team. They want to get on the ball.
“We have got to stop them having the effect they want to have on the ball.
“We have got to impose our game on them. We are the team who are playing at home.
“You know you can’t stop all their good play because they have got some gifted players on the ball.
“But we are the home team and we have been in good form at home.
“It is so varied now, this division but I think in the next two home games we are up against two similar styles of team.*Both are very expansive, both very good on the ball.
“Huddersfield have been excellent in the games I have seen.”
Hughton was reminded that despite winning 3-0, Albion have had to spend a lot of time in defence in the opening half-hour of home games against Nottingham Forest and Rotherham.
Fans and players have remained patient and the pay-off has come later in the game.
Albion had to be patient before powering to victory against Nottingham Forest, above, and Rotherham
He observed: “You can’t always have things your own way.*There are going to be periods of the game when you have to concede possession.
“There are going to be periods of the game when the opposition are better than you.
“They are the periods where you have to make sure you are solid as a team, not to concede and then impose your own game on them.”
Article continues after...[h=3]More Articles[/h]
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[h=5]Albion nostalgia: The night two Seagulls skippers closed a chapter - after coming off the bench[/h]
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The Albion boss makes no secret of the fact his team missed an opportunity at Newcastle.
- Hughton: Next two opponents could be promotion wild cards
- Pocognoli backs Knockaert to help him hit form at Albion
- Hemed relishes Championship return - and backs Kayal to become a national treasure
- Albion nostalgia: The night two Seagulls skippers closed a chapter - after coming off the bench
- Hughton not giving up hope Stephens will sign a new deal with Albion
Sheffield Wednesday showed signs in Brentford’s last game, although the wasteful Owls had to wait until deep into added time before Sam Hutchinson’s improvised header gave them a 1-1 draw at Griffin Park.
“I suppose you are looking at the teams who were up at the top end last season, perhaps Sheffield Wednesday and Derby in particular,” Hughton said when asked if some teams had started more slowly than anticipated.
“They are two very strong sides who, I am sure, will be at the top end of the table.”
That is what we are talking about this season. The top end of the table. A promotion push.
Albion are trying use the disappointment of last season’s finale as motivation to go one better this time.
The subject is out there. Whereas this time last year, players just spoke about the next game, these days the end goal is freely discussed too.
It is a subtle change of emphasis – but an important one.
Can that be a problem – or a good thing?
“Whether it’s good or bad you have to embrace it,” Hughton said.
“People look at us differently now to how they did at the beginning of last season. That is not only us. They will look at Sheffield Wednesday in a completely different light to the beginning of last season.
“They will expect the likes of Norwich, Villa and Derby to be right up there as well.
“Within the squad itself, you want expectations to be high.
“It is then down to us as a staff and a group of players to achieve that but we won’t have changed any of our thoughts and how we want to go about things.”
Original article