SEAGULLS TARGETING PLACE IN EURO ELITE
Amex Stadium, 12.30pm
ADAM WEBSTER claims that relegation haunted Brighton have the potential to reach Europe under Graham Potter.
European football is currently the last thing on most minds at the Amex with Brighton just two points above the drop zone.
But despite their position defender Webster (scoring against Spurs, above) believes the future is bright for Potter’s men as they prepare to face relegation rivals Bournemouth.
Victory at
Arsenal and narrow defeats at Liverpool and Tottenham show the team is improving, even if the results don’t always follow suit.
“We feel we are going in the right direction and if you look at how tight the league is then if you go on a little run you can move up the table,” said Webster.
“What’s been great is that management have given us a real identity as a team. We know the way we want to play and what’s expected of us.
“The club thinks in the long term – you can see that by the way they gave the manager a new contract. That was brilliant for us players because the way we play and the identity we have is clear.
“I think Europe is possible for this club in the future, definitely. You have to set targets and we want to finish as high in the league as we can.
“Everyone is pulling in the same direction, it’s a well run club and feels like a family, which is brilliant.”
That family doesn’t only include manager Potter (inset) and his players but also chairman and millionaire owner Tony Bloom.
Webster said: “He’s a big part of the identity here. I spoke to him when I signed and we had a team meal at the start of the season.
“Then when I got injured he messaged me, which was nice. That doesn’t happen at every club. It shows where we are going.
“It’s the same with the manager and coaches. The preparation that goes into every game is amazing.
“We know what the style of play is and what our identity is – and hopefully where we are going.”
Brighton will make a late check on captain Lewis Dunk, who has been ill, and on Martin Montoya, who has an ankle problem.
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SEAN DYCHE will not allow his players to use tiredness as an excuse over the festive period.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola have blasted the schedule.
Burnley boss Dyche is preparing for Manchester United’s visit today just over 48 hours after a 1-0 Boxing Day defeat at Everton.
But he is not going to give his players an excuse despite the hectic fixture list as he believes they should be raring to go.
“They should be in good shape,” said Dyche. “Scientifically it’s not ideal but emotionally and intelligence-wise you should understand what your body can do and the demands of the modern game. That’s just the way it goes.
“They’ve ever more support these days on every level so certainly should have the capability to recover the best they can. I will expect my players to be ready to go.”
He believes having to fight for survival in the Premier League ensures the Clarets will respond to losing at Goodison when they face United .
He said: “The resilience comes from the mentality to be not too affected. If you lose a game, it’s about how quickly can you shrug it off and make sense of it.
“The good side of every season being a massive challenge for us is you grow that resilience. You know statistically you can’t win every game and will get knocks along the way, it’s how you come out of the knocks. That mentality has to be clear and bloody minded.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side thrashed Newcastle on Boxing
Day but have been up and down and Dyche is hoping they have another off day.
He added: “They’re probably looking for consistency – not just week-to-week but also in games. They’ve had spells when they’ve been quiet and electric. Hopefully they have a quiet spell against us.”
■ Since winning their first Premier League meeting with Manchester United in 2009, Burnley are winless since (D4 L5). ■ United have conceded just one goal in their five Premier League away games against Burnley.
■ Burnley haven’t lost their last league game in a calendar year since 2012 (1-0 v Leicester in the Championship).
■ United have not lost their last league game in a calendar year since 2011 (3-2 v Blackburn Rovers).
■ None of Burnley’s last 16 Premier League home games have finished all square.
■ United have won just two of their last 13 Premier League away games (D4 L7).
■ Burnley have mustered just one shot on target over their last two Premier League games.
■ No side has kept fewer clean sheets in the Premier League this season than United (two).
■ Among teenagers in the top five European leagues, only Jadon Sancho (12) has scored more goals this season than United’s Mason Greenwood (8).