Brighton's experienced players key to promotion push, says Chris Hughton
Friday 1 April 2016 10:59, UK
Brighton's experienced players have been crucial in the club's promotion push this season, according to manager Chris Hughton.
Hughton's side will be targeting their seventh consecutive win in the Sky Bet Championship when they host top of the table Burnley on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
Currently four points behind with eight games to play, second-placed Brighton remain unbeaten in their past six home matches, and Hughton has credited having experienced players as the reason for their good position in the league.
"I think it's been pivotal for us this season and that's the reason why we started well," he said.
"We brought some of that experience on early in the pre-season which I felt helped us settle everybody down and give us a little bit more of a focal point and they've been important for us all season.
"It's a wonderful position to be in. I look at where we were at this stage last season, it's very, very different and these are the type of games, these are the type of challenges that you really want to be involved in."
However, despite a good record at home, Hughton has not underestimated his opponents ability to play away from home.
"Burnley are a fabulous side," he added. "They have a system that they know very, very well, they've got goalscorers and, in particular, Andre Gray who has been outstanding. They just do what they do very well, home or away."
The reverse fixture in November ended 1-1, with both goals coming inside the first five minutes.
More recently, Burnley have not lost in their last 10 matches, but Hughton is still hopeful they will be able to close the gap to Sean Dyche's side.
FL72 Live
"The game on Saturday is a big game because of where we are in the division and certainly at the start of the season our supporters wouldn't have seen this so anything can happen," he said.
"It's a big one because it means it's point they don't get."
