Brighton prefer underdog status, says Chris Hughton
Thursday 16 November 2017 18:45, UK
Chris Hughton says he prefers his side to be considered underdogs before Brighton host Stoke City on Monday Night Football.
The Seagulls secured promotion to England's top tier last season for the first time in 34 years and sit eighth in the table, six places and three points above Mark Hughes's Stoke.
But while his team are in a strong position heading into the clash, Hughton admits being pre-match favourites is not something he welcomes.
When asked whether his side are hot favourites against the Potters, Hughton said: "I don't know about hot favourites.
"With where we are in this division and where we've come from, I don't think that will be too often.
"You probably don't want to be, because what we've managed to do so far is to play at a level that has allowed us to get the points that we have at the moment.
"As soon as you come below those levels it's going to be very, very tough. In any way that we are the underdogs, I think that's perhaps a position we would prefer to be in."
Hughton feels Brighton have "surpassed expectations" and is delighted with their performances so far, having won four of their 11 league games.
"If you're asking me if we've surpassed expectations, then yes," he said.
"If you'd said to me that we would be in this position in the league at this time in the season, then I would have said of course, I am absolutely delighted with it.
"It is of course always about sustaining it, so there are always going to be possibilities that clubs can start well and maybe not do so well after that.
"But I've been really delighted. Not just by the points that we've got, but the way that we've conducted ourselves in these games."
The 58-year-old says his main priority is working towards developing a club capable of staying in the Premier League, as he responded to comments made by Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen.
Bowen this week expressed surprise at "good friend" Hughton not being linked with the vacant managerial role at Everton.
"I think anything positive that is said about what you're doing and the work you're doing is always nice to hear," Hughton said.
"It's not something that you can afford to think about. What you can afford to think about always, is the job that you're doing.
"We've done the big part of that last season, from getting from the Championship to the Premier League which is where we want to be.
"Now it's about developing this team and developing this club that can be a club that can stay there."
