Chris Hughton says Brighton are not in a crisis despite winless run
Thursday 14 December 2017 15:13, UK
Chris Hughton insists Brighton are not in a crisis despite their poor run of results and has backed his players to recapture their early-season form.
Brighton, playing in the Premier League for the first time this season, have lost their last three league games and have picked up only two points from the last 18 available.
An encouraging start to the season had seen Brighton sit as high as eighth after beating Swansea on November 4, but failure to win since has seen them slip to 13th and they are only three points above the relegation zone.
Asked on Thursday whether he thought Brighton were reaching a crisis, Hughton replied: "No. I think it's not.
"We are a newly-promoted team and went through a good period. We are amongst a group of teams that aren't in very good form and we aren't happy with it. We are very conscious of the facts.
"These are the challenges that will face us all season but we are going through a difficult period and that was always going to happen.
"Whenever you lose, it puts more pressure on the next game. This is the challenge and we are a team that rises to those."
Brighton's next three games sees them welcome high-flying Burnley and Watford to the Amex Stadium before a trip to face defending champions Chelsea.
Hughton conceded there was plenty for Brighton to work on and he is ready to dip into the transfer market in January to bring in new additions if necessary.
"There are problems we have to address now," he said.
"We will continue to work hard in training but of course you can go through periods that are tough. The quality of the teams we are up against is high.
"Our recruitment department worked hard through the summer but if the opportunities arise then we will do something."
