Club news

Hughton: A Wonderful Opportunity For This Club

By Alex Stedman • 17 March 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton insists that tonight’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final is a special occasion and a chance for the club to create history.

The Seagulls head to Old Trafford in the final eight of the competition, whilst many other Premier League sides are taking a break from the rigours of the top flight campaign, but the boss was clear about this evening’s contest and its importance to the club. 

He said, "It's great for us [to have the cup game]. The obvious one is we are incredibly delighted to still be in the cup and with an opportunity to go through – that would be fantastic for this football club and a historic moment.

"For those not playing in this period, what those warm weather training camps can do is keep levels up but that's always a club decision. 

"That's what all clubs that have this period will be thinking about." 

Jose Mourinho’s side exited the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the hands of Sevilla on home soil, with widespread reaction following the defeat. But the Albion manager was keen to emphasise that tonight’s opponents would still provide a stern test given the magnitude of the club.

"We'll come up against a very strong team whichever team they put out. 

"That's not necessarily because of midweek. They are a club that want to win trophies and they have a manager who wants to win trophies.

"I would expect him to put out a team that allows them to win a game and put them in the best position to win another trophy."

The manager has used the Emirates FA Cup to rotate his side so far this term, and has often pointed to the healthy competition in the squad being demonstrated by the results - despite the shuffling of his team. 

When he spoke to the media on Thursday, Hughton was asked about rotation and giving certain players an opportunity - and he pointed to some good examples of strong and dependent individuals at his disposal.

“I think it’s the same in most positions, when the player or the goalkeeper that’s in the team is playing at a good level, then sometimes it’s a bit easier to make decisions. 

“These players are all very competitive and they all want to play, but they are also realistic and if there’s someone playing in their position who is playing very well then they recognise what that means.

“An example would be Connor Goldson - whenever he has come in, he has done very well but he is facing two centre-halves in front of him who both have been very good this season.

“I think there is a bit of that in Tim Krul too, because he is an experienced keeper, but he is also a keeper that wants to play.”

Albion supporters can watch Chris Hughton’s full look ahead to this evening’s Emirates FA Cup tie on Seagulls TV by clicking here.