Duffy's Dressing Room Delight

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Shane Duffy highlighted the positive atmosphere in the club’s dressing room throughout their debut season in the Premier League, and believes sticking together will remain important during the final stage of the campaign.

The Seagulls head to Stoke City tomorrow afternoon in good confidence, following three unbeaten games in all competitions, and Duffy praised his team-mates for maintaining a supportive environment through both the highs and lows.

He said, “It’s a great changing room that’s had a lot of success over the last couple of years. It’s still been great this year, even through the low points where we haven't been winning.

“It’s a good changing room to be in and we always stick together. It really comes from the fans and everyone at the club, it’s probably one of the best changing rooms that I’ve been in.

“Coming into this run, if we don’t get the results that we probably expect or want, it’s important that we stick together.

“It’s what we’ve done this season when we’ve been through a tough spell, and it’s great to be in it because you know your team-mates have got your back.”

Albion occupy 13th spot in the league table after last weekend’s 3-1 victory over West Ham United at the Amex Stadium, but Duffy reflected on the team’s highest position which was reached in November.

“Going eighth in the Premier League probably didn’t help - some fans probably expected us to stay there.

“We had to get off to a good start and we did, we got early points on the board - but we never got too ahead of ourselves, and we knew we’d go through a tough spell when we played the top six.

“We’ve still got to play them and we know we’ve got a tough run-in, so we can’t get too ahead of ourselves.

“Inside the dressing room, this is where we believed we could be. We believed we could push for the top ten and get out of danger - but it’s obviously a lot easier said than done.”

Duffy has featured in 25 of Albion’s 26 Premier League matches so far this season, keeping seven clean sheets, and the Republic of Ireland international commented on his old-school playing style.

“I’m never going to be a centre-half that dribbles out of defence and sets up goals, and there’s no point on working on it because I’m not that kind of player.

“I want to get stronger and that’s about defending well and putting my body on the line to stop goals going in - that’s a part of my game that I feel I’m good at.

“You’ve got to want to put your head where it hurts, but I’m learning more about positioning and putting myself in the right position to clear balls.

“Maybe I don’t always have to throw my body on the line, maybe I could get a tackle in before - but that’s what I’m trying to learn.”