Adams: I see a group of players who are behind Hurzeler

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Former manager backs Albion after tough run of results.

2026-02-12T10:30+00:00

Micky Adams had two spells as Albion manager. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Former Albion manager Micky Adams believes there were “a lot of positives” to take from last night’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Villa Park — and has urged supporters to get behind Fabian Hurzeler and his players as they now try to plot a cup upset at Liverpool this weekend.

Adams, who was at Villa Park in his role as a Premier League match assessor, said, “I thought the boss had picked the right side to start: nice and aggressive, on the front foot as best they could. It's never easy coming to Villa Park, but I thought they'd come out and show a lot of fight, determination and bit of grit.

“I said before the game, the manager of Brighton will pick a team that will come out with a little bit of fire in their bellies and show that, even if the results are hurting them at the moment, and that's exactly how it panned out.

“They were the better side in the second half, and it looked like it was only a matter of time before Brighton scored. Then they switched off from one corner. You have got to defend it better in that instant, but there were a lot of positives there.”

Adams, who led Albion to the Third Division title in 2001 and remains a popular figure with fans, called for calm heads as his former club look ahead to a fourth round FA Cup tie at Liverpool on Saturday evening.

“To a man, they stood up to a real challenge, as you're going to get that at Villa Park; it’ll be similar at Anfield this weekend. They've got to look back at that positively and take it forward. I’ve seen Fabian is under a bit of pressure, but I would urge the fans to get behind a great young manager.

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Battling Albion were edged out 1-0 by a late Aston Villa goal. Club Photographer James Boardman captured the action.

“You know what he's got, he's doing a lot of good things that I can see. And it's not the time to press the panic button, it's the time for everybody to stick together, and for the boss to show what he's all about, on the training ground, and getting the lads to take that into the next game.

“Not every managerial career is all about the highs. You're going to have some low times, but I believe Fabian is the right man. He has to show what he's all about now, but that group of players look like a group of players that are playing for a manager.”