Chris Hughton has defended former Albion boss Sami Hyypia after he lost the services of two key midfielders.
Hughton has dragged the Seagulls within sight of Championship safety since the perilous plight he inherited from Hyypia.
Hughton believes the Finn was handicapped by being without Dale Stephens and Andrew Crofts.
Stephens makes his third start in a week at Blackburn Rovers today after ten months out with an ankle injury.
Crofts suffered cruciate knee ligament damage for a second time in early October, which ruled him out for the season.
Hughton told The Argus: “Dale is one I knew about and had seen before I came here. I think the club have missed him.
“I am talking about before my time here. When you are the manager of the club and you’ve got both him and Crofty out – two mainstays of that central midfield position – so early in the season they are tough players to replace.
“Crofty will have a very good summer and look to start again pre-season but it’s certainly good to have Dale back in.”
Stephens returns to the scene of his last away goal for Albion at Blackburn. His last-gasp equaliser in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Ewood Park in April helped them to the play-offs under Oscar Garcia.
Stephens, injured soon afterwards, was on target as a substitute against Derby at the Amex last month. He returned to the starting line-up against Wolves last Saturday and kept his place at Millwall on Tuesday.
Hughton said: “When you think that Saturday was his first 90 minutes for some ten months, nobody is more happy and relieved than he is to have come through that.
“I’m delighted to have him back in. He certainly made an impact in the Derby game, coming on, so I think that was a wonderful moment for him. For him now it’s about getting through the rest of the season, playing as many games as he can and really putting himself in a good position for next season.
“He’s a versatile player,” Hughton said. “I also think he can play one advanced of the two in midfield. I brought him on in that Derby game in that position, in front of the two central midfield players. He is certainly a good enough footballer to play in that role.”
Original article
Hughton has dragged the Seagulls within sight of Championship safety since the perilous plight he inherited from Hyypia.
Hughton believes the Finn was handicapped by being without Dale Stephens and Andrew Crofts.
Stephens makes his third start in a week at Blackburn Rovers today after ten months out with an ankle injury.
Crofts suffered cruciate knee ligament damage for a second time in early October, which ruled him out for the season.
Hughton told The Argus: “Dale is one I knew about and had seen before I came here. I think the club have missed him.
“I am talking about before my time here. When you are the manager of the club and you’ve got both him and Crofty out – two mainstays of that central midfield position – so early in the season they are tough players to replace.
“Crofty will have a very good summer and look to start again pre-season but it’s certainly good to have Dale back in.”
Stephens returns to the scene of his last away goal for Albion at Blackburn. His last-gasp equaliser in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Ewood Park in April helped them to the play-offs under Oscar Garcia.
Stephens, injured soon afterwards, was on target as a substitute against Derby at the Amex last month. He returned to the starting line-up against Wolves last Saturday and kept his place at Millwall on Tuesday.
Hughton said: “When you think that Saturday was his first 90 minutes for some ten months, nobody is more happy and relieved than he is to have come through that.
“I’m delighted to have him back in. He certainly made an impact in the Derby game, coming on, so I think that was a wonderful moment for him. For him now it’s about getting through the rest of the season, playing as many games as he can and really putting himself in a good position for next season.
- Why Hughton has sympathy for predecessor Sami
- Hobden treble in vain as old friend sinks Sharks
- Emergency loans could be open to Albion again
- Halford keen to make Albion stay permanent
- Albion winger set to stay with Stags
“He’s a versatile player,” Hughton said. “I also think he can play one advanced of the two in midfield. I brought him on in that Derby game in that position, in front of the two central midfield players. He is certainly a good enough footballer to play in that role.”
Original article