Brighton & Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong praised the determination within the squad to bounce back from a disappointing opening day defeat to Watford, following two positive performances against Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Cameroonian explained how the overwhelming sense of frustration felt after the Hornets defeat, drove the team on to raise their levels against United and Liverpool.
He said, “It hasn’t been an easy start. We have to remember what we did at Watford because we did a lot of wrong things, but we were all upset afterwards, us as players and the manager.
“The first game is never easy because you have new players and it can take time for them all to adjust.
“After that, we had to react against Manchester United and we did well, because none of us could accept how we played.
“We got three points and were very happy, but another game is always around the corner and Liverpool was harder in some ways.
“We were unlucky to lose the game, which was down to our own mistakes, but we have new players, and that can happen sometimes if you’re playing in a new league.”
Bong looked ahead to Saturday’s match against a big-spending Fulham side and is wary of the threat which the Cottagers will pose.
“It’s no surprise they’re in the Premier League because they were doing well in the Championship for a few years, and they are a big club in England. They have spent a lot of money because they want to stay in this league.
“Every game is hard and you have to fight, run and play as well as you can. We know what it’s like from being a newly-promoted side last season, and some teams may have thought they had a better chance of beating us because we’d just come up from the Championship.
“But we know that every game in this league is tough. Some people may think certain games are easier than others, but they’re not.”
The defender emphasised how the overall strength within the squad is key to the squad’s chances of survival once again, and how the rotation of players will be crucial.
“Everyone can play, and if one of us doesn’t it’s because we may need something different for a particular game.
“If you are expecting to play in every game, then you are dreaming because this league is tough.
“Teams that perform well generally make changes. Bringing in some fresh legs helps, and it helps to create a good group and ensure everyone is fighting in the right direction.”