Brighton & Hove Albion winger Solly March has encouraged his team-mates to play with more confidence on the road after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
March rued a disappointing day in Dorset, and emphasised the need to play less cautiously on the road in future games.
He said, “It was one of those days for us where nothing was falling where you wanted it to and the final ball wasn’t good enough. We need to look at that and be more positive for the next game.
“We’ve played in this formation a few times away from home, and maybe it’s about being a bit more positive and trying to get on the front foot more.
“It’s all about the quality of the final ball and getting that clear-cut chance, which wasn’t really there.”
Albion ended the match with ten men following Lewis Dunk’s sending off and March explained how his team-mate didn’t know he had already received a yellow card.
“I’m sure he said he didn’t even know he was booked for the first challenge, so that’s frustrating.
“If he knew he was booked, he may not have dived in like that and probably would’ve stayed on his feet.
“It’s a one-match ban, but Duffs [Shane Duffy] is back so at least we’ve got someone to come in and replace him.”
The winger then looked ahead to the Boxing Day clash against Arsenal, and stressed the need to not become complacent at the halfway stage of the campaign.
“It’s massive, we need to bounce back and bounce back well. We’re at home and we like playing at home. The fans will get behind us, and it’s a big game.
“It’s been a good start at the midpoint of the season, but we can’t think we’re in the clear. We need to keep picking up points on a regular basis, and hopefully we’ll able to do that in the next few games.”