Saturday 27 August 2016 12:15, UK
Ian Holloway sits down with Brighton boss Chris Hughton to discuss the season ahead, transfer plans, and facing former side Newcastle in front of the Sky cameras...
Having lost in the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-finals last year, the Seagulls have made a positive start to the new league season with two wins and two draws from four matches.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports' Ian Holloway for EFL title sponsor Sky Bet ahead of Saturday's trip to his old employers, Hughton reflects on getting over the disappointment of last term, "doing his best" on Tyneside and his excitement for the future...
What sort of summer did you have after the end to last season?
"It was a good summer. It was very difficult at the end of last season but what helped me was the performance in the second leg against Sheffield Wednesday at home where the supporters thoroughly appreciated what the team had given them that season.
"The first leg was difficult to take; four injuries in one game - something I have never experienced before - and a two-goal deficit. We knew it would have to be a good performance at home and the onus was on us. We couldn't have started any better and we were so good on the day.
"It wasn't such a bad summer. The way we finished in that last game made me feel very proud of the team."
The three teams competing for automatic promotion were close and so consistent, it almost seemed unfair you didn't get anything out of it. Did you feel that at all?
"We set a target at the start of the season to get in a position to get promoted. We set a points target, where it has worked before, the amount of wins, and we met all of the targets apart from one. The points tally we achieved has got teams automatic promotion most years.
"It was an unusual year, which was tougher to take, but we were still in there at the end. I thought maybe it caught up with us a bit and, in a period of time where you want things to go for you, we had too many things in the last four games go against us."
But you have started well, two wins and two draws, there doesn't seem to be a hangover?
"It's a desire to want what we had last season. As a manager, a coach and a player, you want to be at the top end of the table.You want to be challenging. It's tough when you are fighting relegation.
"There is no better feeling than knowing you are pushing for something. We were fortunate to do that last season. The players really enjoy it, they bought into it, they apply pressure on themselves to maintain that, and they want some more of it this season."
How excited are you about Brighton as a football club? The training ground is quite exceptional...
"The chairman, who is a local man, born-and-bred Brighton supporter, has invested very heavily, and it's down to him and his finances. There is still a feeling from the players that every day they walk in they are grateful of such a good facility. It's an exciting place to come and work.
"That's the feeling I get from the players still, and if you are enjoying your work you would like to think you work harder and it's more meaningful. That's all added towards what they gave last season and what they want to give this season, they have been a highly motivated group of players and it's our responsibility as the staff to make sure we keep on top of that."
Looking forward, are you hopeful of bringing one or two, maybe more in?
"We are trying, but we have a very good squad, which I am happy with. We brought in nine players last summer, because we had lost nine. We recruited well in January bringing in (Anthony) Knockaert and (Jiri) Skalak.
"It's been a more comfortable summer with regards to what we felt we needed to bring in, whereas last summer was hectic. Every moment we were looking at videos, because there were so many. Any opportunity to improve the squad we will take it. We are a couple of players down from last season and if we can fill those holes we will, but if we don't I am happy with the squad we have got."
Do you look more for ability or character first?
"It would be ability first. Ideally, you want good personalities as well, but it's probably not the first thing. We are all desperate to do well. If you said to me there's a top quality player who you can bring in and we are confident he will add to your squad, but you have to work with him a bit and he can be a bit fiery, then you feel if you are bringing him into a good group the group can take care of that. That's what we have here.
I feel particularly in two jobs you had before you weren't dealt with fairly with what you achieved - getting one promoted and keeping the other up. Do you still carry that in your mind and will games against those clubs this year have any more spice?
"There is a little bit of that in everybody, but it's not something I think about or carry around. But whatever the circumstances it's not nice.
"From the moment it happened on both occasions (Newcastle and Norwich) my first thought was to get back in and try to use that time out to better myself and to learn from it. It's tough, if you reflect too much it takes away too much. There is a little bit and it has to spur you on."
Do you think supporters know what a manager goes through when you lose that job?
"I don't think they can do, it's impossible. The reception, particularly at Newcastle, that I got from the supporters afterwards meant any bad feeling was taken away, and that helps.
"Also, we were in a good position, so you can look at yourself and say you have done the best you can, you have done the best job you can and worked as hard as you can."
Watch a full version of Ian Holloway's interview with Chris Hughton here
Watch Brighton's trip to Newcastle live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5.15pm on Saturday.
