SEA-GOAL GETTERS
Strikers hit form to spare Hughton more transfer trauma
RECRUITING a striker is no longer a priority for Brighton boss Chris Hughton – thanks to the form of Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed.
Hughton took his search for a forward to the wire in the summer transfer window, making a doomed eleventh-hour bid for Spurs’ Vincent Janssen.
That desperate measure came after the Seagulls missed out on Deportivo La Coruna’s Florin Andone and Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham chose Swansea City ahead of a move to the South Coast.
Now, as Brighton go to Wales for a head-to-head with England new boy Abraham, Hughton says much has changed after his strikers contributed five goals in the last seven games to take his team to 12th in the table.
“Would I say a striker is still a priority? Not really, because it always changes,” he said. “All I can say at this moment is I’m absolutely delighted with the challenge I have. Hemed is a centre-forward who started the season really well when Glenn was injured – and Glenn’s form has obviously been good in the last couple of games too.
“With the two of them, and with Sam Baldock close to fitness now, it’s certainly given us more competition in a position that most clubs were looking at in the summer.
“So, I could say a striker would still be one position we are looking at in January but there would be others.
“We don’t know where we’ll be, what injuries we’ll have and what we need to supplement.”
Whatever happens in January, Hughton believes his team have a real chance of survival – thanks to a change in the balance of power in the Premier League.
Previously, teams promoted from the Championship could automatically expect relegation scrap. This year, with increased funds available in the top flight, the newcomers are making a real go of it.
Albion are 12th, Huddersfield 13th and Newcastle ninth.
“Apart from the top six, the division is more evenly matched now,” said Hughton. “For this club we have spent big in the summer. In comparison to the division it’s not perhaps, but we think we have spent big.
“So have Huddersfield. I think they have broken their transfer record four times, just like us. Newcastle the same.
“As each season goes on I think the spending power of the promoted clubs will increase. You know what the top six will be but maybe it’s got that little bit closer between everyone else.”
Brighton head to Swansea with almost a fully-fit squad, having only Steve Sidwell officially sidelined. Midfielder Beram Kayal is expected to be on the bench but Baldock may need one more reserve game.