Gross Ready For Second Season Challenge

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross believes that the upcoming season in the Premier League will be even more challenging.
 
The German feels that the quality in the division will only improve and is not underestimating the task of maintaining the Seagulls' top-flight status for another season.
 
He said, "I think the second year is always harder for everybody. For the first part of the season teams going up are very self-confident because they've won a lot of games the year before.
 
"I think you have to work even harder in the second year, especially in the Premier League.
 
"Every team, every club is getting better, buying good players. So we have to be well prepared and know that it is very tough to do again what we did last year.
 
"But we are also a good and a strong team. We're not scared of anyone."
 
Albion face a tough start to the campaign with matches against Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, but Gross explained the irrelevance of the fixture order.
 
“Of course I looked at the fixtures but I think every game is difficult in the Premier League. There is nothing where you say 'Okay, that's easy, I like to play against them first'.
 
"It doesn't matter in my opinion but it's also hard to play against us. We have to be self-confident, I think, and believe in ourselves.
 
"We know every team is good and every game is tough, but we have to look at ourselves."
 
Gross also proudly reflected on the Player of the Season award he won back in May, but explained this will count for nothing heading into the new campaign.
 
"I am very happy with my first year with Brighton, that we stayed up. I always said this was the most important thing, that we now have a second year in the Premier League.
 
"Personally, I am very happy that I could help the team with my goals and assists and my performances.
 
“I was happy last year but now it's over and I have to look forward, because in football you can't look back at last year. Nobody cares about it now. I have to train hard and try to do my best this year."