Just another game and we have to keep our focus
Burnley travel to Brighton tomorrow and the two managers have had their say ahead of the fixture between the Championship’s top two teams.
Chris Hughton is in his first full season at the Amex. They went longer than any other club before losing this season and he’s looking forward to a home game against the league leaders in front of a full house.
Hughton said of the Brighton fans: “The fans have been excellent for us all season. We just took 7,000 to MK and it was an incredible achievement. At any club it’s the same with any supporters, they need something to cheer about and with Saturday’s game being a sell out, it shows how well the team have performed this season. It is a testament to the team and it also shows the magnitude of the game.
“It’s a big game because of where both teams are in this league. We have already played some big games this season and they come around thick and fast in this league. I am very sure that the next game against Birmingham is equally as big a game. We are at home and hopefully we can get three points.”
On Burnley he added: “They have a very strong team and mentality. You have to be strong enough to beat that and they are top of the league for a reason. They have experienced this situation before and they are very well drilled by a great manager in Sean Dyche. They haven’t changed the squad too much and they have players that can score a lot of goals.
“What we have seen from teams gaining promotion is that they are very well prepared for the Premier League. Norwich have had a tougher time this season but Bournemouth and Watford have had very good seasons. Burnley did very well in the Premier League and only just missed out on survival last season.”
Sean Dyche, who has dismissed this week’s links with Aston Villa, said ahead of the journey down to Sussex: “There are other teams who want the piece of glory that comes with promotion to the Premier League, but we are in good shape, mentally and physically, and the players know what they are doing.
“Now it’s about taking that on in the final games. We want to take them on and grip the games and made sure we take care of our own business without worrying about others.
“At the turn of the year we were sitting fifth or sixth, but now we have changed all that around and we sit top. That wasn’t just from beating teams around you; that’s from beating as many teams as you can, but of course if you can beat those around you it is very helpful.
“It does come down to the fact though that it’s just another game and we have to keep our focus. It’s not the be all and end all because it’s just one game, but make no mistake we are in good shape and we are looking to win, without a shadow of a doubt.”
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