Bruno Expects Tougher Second Half To The Season

Brighton & Hove Albion captain Bruno believes points are tougher to secure in the second half of the season, as the Premier League table begins to take shape and teams fight for their respective targets.

The Seagulls sit 12th in the Premier League, three points outside the relegation zone after a hectic festive schedule -  and Bruno was pleased to have a small break after Monday’s game against AFC Bournemouth, ahead of an important few months.

He said, “It’s been a really busy period, not just physically but mentally as well. We’ve needed a little rest to clear our minds and have batteries full of energy again.

“After Christmas it’s always different, every team knows where they are and what they’re fighting for, so that makes it even tougher to get points.

“We’re competing [in most games] but we need to change small details to be able to pick up points against some of the bigger teams.

“It’s massive [the next two months], but we have to take every game as it comes. Every game has to be a cup final and that’s going to be really important for us, in order to get as many points as possible.”

The Spaniard admitted that some of Albion’s draws this season could have been turned into victories, but on the whole, the 37-year-old is satisfied with the club’s current league position.

“There’s a bit of frustration because of the way we missed out on a few points, but we’ve also come from behind to win points in games.

“If you look at the bigger picture, then maybe we’ve dropped some points, but we have to think as if someone asked at the beginning of the season ‘would we like to be where we are now?’

“We certainly would have accepted that, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

Chris Hughton’s team take a break from Premier League action as they welcome Crystal Palace to the Amex Stadium in the FA Cup on Monday evening - in a second meeting between the clubs on the south coast this season.

Bruno stressed the importance of Albion’s supporters creating a vibrant atmosphere at the Amex, and commented on the depth of Chris Hughton’s squad, as the Seagulls’ boss selects his team for the third-round cup tie.

“It’s so important to make the fans feel comfortable. Our fans have been outstanding all season, and we’ll need that electric atmosphere for every single game.

“It’s a big game for us, especially because it’s against Crystal Palace, but we’ll see what the manager does.

“We’ve got more than 20 players - quality players - and we can play in different formations with different players, and that’s very good for us.”