Club news

Hughton Pleased With Run-outs For Andone And Jahanbakhsh

By James Hilsum • 31 July 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton was pleased to give new signings Florin Andone and Alireza Jahanbakhsh their first run-outs in today’s 1-0 win over OGC Nice.
 
The duo played the first 45 minutes in the hot conditions in the south of France, and Hughton highlighted the importance of getting both players off the mark ahead of the start of the season.
 
He said, “They had a good run out and they’re at different stages to the rest of the group.
 
“The first half was tougher for both of them, as that was their first 45 minutes for us, and there’s a lot more to come from them.
 
“There’s a big question mark as to whether they’re both ready to start the first game of the season, because they wouldn’t have had enough minutes under their belts.
 
“But they’re both quality players and having some involvement off the bench is more likely.”
 
The Seagulls boss highlighted the importance of the game as whole, and admitted that the high temperature had an impact on the pace of the game.
 
“I was pleased with both halves and you try to learn as much as possible about your team. We’re still a week and a half away from the start of the season, and I would say the second half was far more productive than the first.
 
“We will learn from both halves though and the important thing was a good run out in hot conditions.
 
“That affected the game, but if you look at the weather we’re having in England, it might be a very hot day when we play Watford. The experiences we’ve had this summer will be beneficial.”
 
Hughton also expressed his satisfaction at the progress his squad has made as pre-season draws to a close, but explained he will only know if the hard work has paid off come 11th August.
 
“I’d like to think so [that the team is at the right level]. I’m probably the same as every manager, you wonder if you’ve done enough and whether players are at the right level.
 
“All managers will question these things. Occasionally you have a manager that’s had a perfect pre-season and everything has gone right, but generally that’s not the case. You only know come the first game of the season, and that’s when it counts.”