Liam Rosenior Interview: Brighton full-back on Championship challenge

Liam Rosenior talks to Sky Sports about his father’s role in his move to Brighton, the challenge of the Championship and why he has unfinished business in the top flight…

Brighton fans might not have thought a friendship forged at West Ham in the late 1980s would have much of an impact on the club’s new signings in the summer of 2015, but when Seagulls boss Chris Hughton needed a new right-back he was able to count on the support of his old Hammers team-mate Leroy Rosenior.

Liam Rosenior, Leroy’s son, was available on a free transfer following his release from Hull and the advice he received was simple. "As soon as I found out about Brighton’s interest, I called my dad," he tells Sky Sports. "He told me to drive down now. It wasn’t just on my dad’s advice, I was happy to sign myself but obviously you always listen to your parents.

Chris Hughton is just a good man and an honest man. He’s someone that I’ve always wanted to play for and I’m just pleased it’s happened now.

"I’m quite lucky that my dad played with him before at West Ham. Chris Hughton is just a good man and an honest man. Also, his record as a coach and a manager speaks for itself. He’s someone that I’ve always wanted to play for and I’m just pleased it’s happened now."

Rosenior had made Hull his home during a five-year stay and endeared himself to supporters upon departure by writing an open letter expressing his warmth for the city. However, it’s warmth of another kind that he is looking forward to now as he admits that the lifestyle on the south coast has been a factor in turning down Premier League offers.

'Different country'

"It’s nice and hot," says Rosenior. "It’s like being in a different country down here. There were clubs who called my agent and told me to hold off and not sign so early in the window. But when I came down to Brighton it just felt right.

"I brought my wife along and she loved it. That made my decision because it’s not just me that signs for a football club. I’ve got four children and a family too. As soon as I stepped into the club and spoke to the manager, I knew this was the perfect place for me.

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"The stadium is fantastic. I’m not sure everyone has seen the training facility here but it’s up there with the best in the country. I’m talking Champions League standard. Now it’s about making sure we fulfil our potential on the pitch. Hopefully I can be a big part of that."

Rosenior is here for work too though and knows it will be a challenge. Armed with a three-year deal, he is aware it will count for little if doesn’t perform. "You’re never secure unless you produce on the pitch. My motivation is not the length of the deal but that I want to see the club in the Premier League and consolidated before my contract is up."

Firstly, he must battle the popular Bruno for the right-back slot and Rosenior needs no reminding of the Spaniard’s quality – he’s on record as an admirer. "Bruno is a player that I’ve always rated," he says. "I voted for him as the Championship right-back of the year in the season that I was promoted with Hull. Technically, he’s a fantastic right-back.

"But the club has so much ambition and potential they want a squad that’s strong enough to get to the Premier League. So I’m not worried about the strength of the competition, instead I thrive on it and want to help the club grow."

Rosenior talks like a man keen to take on responsibility and while he brushes off any questions about whether he can adapt after five years with Hull - "it’s just part of football" – he acknowledges that it could mean a change of role within the dressing room. He’s the senior professional with Premier League experience now.

"I’ll be trying to make sure that we keep high standards in training and that we keep high standards in games. That’s part of my job now. I’ve got to help the younger players fulfil their potential because there are some good young players here with massive potential."

It’s been a while since Rosenior was in the Championship but having won promotion with Hull in his last season at this level, he knows what is required and will be aiming to toughen Brighton up. Hull scored fewer goals than any team in the top half that season but their defensive platform proved crucial.

"I think the main thing you need to have is be mentally strong and resilient. You’ve got to be hard to beat. We’ve got fantastic technical players at this club so if we can get that side of it into our performance then we’ve got as good a chance as anyone of getting promoted.

"I think we’ve got to be looking at that as the aim. I don’t want to put pressure on anyone but there are 12 teams there who, if they are honest, are after the same thing. We are definitely capable of getting promoted this season."

Not that it will be easy. "The Championship is actually a harder league to play in than the Premier League. I’ve always maintained that. You’ve got to play more games and the intensity of those games is completely different to the Premier League.

"Every game is very close and the difference between the teams is very slim. So it’s fine margins that win you games in this league. But I’m looking forward to challenging at the top end rather than surviving at the other end.

"I’ll probably have more possession playing in this team than I would for Hull in the Premier League. So your game does tend to change. My strength is that I can defend but I like to get forward and create chances as well.  I’m looking forward to showing that side of my game."

My performances were good but the system that we played wasn’t suited to me.

Robbed of that opportunity at Hull when the team’s switch to 3-5-2 meant his natural full-back role was compromised, Rosenior is keen to show that he is a Championship player through choice rather than necessity. And his Premier League adventure isn’t over yet.

"From my point of view, I’ve still got a point to prove in the Premier League because my performances were good but the system that we played wasn’t suited to me. I still feel I have a point to prove in that way." And if he doesn’t make his point under Hughton, he’ll have his dad to answer to.