DAY OF RECKONING I’d rather have this pressure says Hughton
BRIGHTON manager Chris Hughton believes the pressure is greater on teams fi ghting to avoid relegation to the Championship, rather than the one who stands to collect a £ 170 million place in the top fl ight.
“I certainly remember at Norwich two seasons ago when, with three games to go, there were seven teams that could still have been relegated,” he said on the eve of the titanic clash against Middlesbrough. “We won a game against West Brom and that was massive. MANAGER Russell
❑ That’s at the other end of Slade had been the spectrum.
moved upstairs by “It’s a million miles better to be in this Cardiff. He will take position. The pressure in charge for the last this type of game at this time against end of the Championship Birmingham today, table is considerably less before becoming head than that at the other
of football. end of the Premier League. That’s why everyone at this club has to accept and enjoy it.
“If it’s not to be, then the pressure will build again for the play- offs. You have to want that challenge.”
The riches on offer from next season’s TV deal will not be weighing on Hughton’s shoulders as he prepares to mastermind the victory required. “There isn’t one part of it that affects me,” he said. “The only thing that is on my mind is the owner and staff of this club, supporters and players who have been magnifi cent. The thought of promotion far outweighs that of any fi nancial implications.”
After last season’s brush with relegation, few tipped Brighton to be in today’s position and, even after they began the season with a 21- match unbeaten run, many were ready to write them off when injuries caused a dip in results either side of Christmas.
“We brought in nine players and, when we started well, you feed off that encouragement – but nobody expected us to be where we are now,” said Hughton, who was named Championship manager of the month for April yesterday with winger Anthony Knockaert taking the player’s award.
But he is forced to replace suspended defender Lewis Dunk today with 35- year- old club captain Gordon Greer, who has played only once, for Scotland, since January.
Boro need only a draw to claim promotion. But right- back Bruno believes that could work against them. “If you play for a draw, sometimes you don’t know what to do – go forward or just defend,” he said. “We know we have to score but we don’t have to score in the fi rst fi ve or 10 minutes – we have got 90
minutes.”