Hurzeler on targets, Southampton 'warning' and Ferguson future
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game at home to Southampton (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler confirmed Lewis Dunk is back in the squad, along with Tariq Lamptey, while Ferdi Kadioglu is a doubt but the rest of the squad "will stay the same".
He acknowledged that they will "have to suffer" against Southampton because of their style of play and that the Saints' performance against Liverpool should be a "warning" to Brighton: "This league is so intense, so competitive - there is no easy opponent."
On if the start to the season has given them confidence they can achieve European qualification: "For me in life, not only football, it is so important to have clear targets and vision of where you want to go. It makes you promise never to give up and gives orientation to your work. Right now, it is about momentum. This momentum gives the players confirmation for their work."
He added: "You have to keep improving and developing this, focusing on the process and not the results. If you focus now on the results and say 'wow, we are at the top of the table', it won't work. You have to keep focusing on the process, on performance and then long-term results will come."
Hurzeler said the red card Carlos Baleba received in the last match was a "false decision" but they have to "accept it", adding: "What should I say to the player? He didn't do a mistake with second yellow because it is not a second yellow. On the other side, I reflect on myself. Maybe I need to react earlier and say he is a young player, I need to protect him. That I need to take him out of game to make sure he is available for the next match."
On reports that Evan Ferguson could leave on loan, the Seagulls boss said he did not know where that information came from as he is "happy Evan is here and he can help us in the next week."
He also used Igor Julio as an example for players who are not featuring regularly: "No one expected Igor to play that many games in this phase, but he always made sure he was ready for games and for the chance. He always trained hard, never complained, accepted his role and then when he got the chance he was there. That is the same thing I demand from the other players. Accept your role - never complain."
On an opportunity to go second in the table: "Honestly, I don't watch the table, believe it or not. I try to focus on the process. It is repetition from my side, but I truly believe [it]. But it is confirmation for the players [and] the staff. They all buy into it and have impact on success. It is important for them to see that their hard work is leading to results."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
