We'll have to tough out difficult times to stay up - Hughton

By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2017, 13:37 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 05:13 BST
Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)
Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)

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Albion boss Chris Hughton says his side will have to see out some difficult times to try to become an established Premier League club.

The Seagulls' preparations for their first season in the top flight of English football for 34 years are already well underway. At a cost of £5m, work is taking place to upgrade the Amex and get everything in place for Premier League football next year.

On the pitch, Hughton knows wins against teams around the middle to bottom end of the table next season will be vital.

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In the Premier League this season, just 11 points separate West Brom in ninth to third-from-bottom Hull City.

Burnley are the only team promoted from the Championship last season to stay up, with Middlesbrough and Hull both dropping straight back down, so Hughton knows the task ahead.

Who Albion sign in the summer will be important for their survival hopes and when asked about teams going up - and staying up - Albion's boss said: "We speak about Burnley and Bournemouth, because they are recent. But you've only got to look at Crystal Palace, Watford, Leicester a few years ago, and going back further Stoke and West Brom.

"They have toughed out difficult times to become mainstays in the division and that's the challenge."

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On targeting certain matches where wins are crucial, Hughton said: "There is no doubt that for any team going from the Championship to the Premier League, you have got to win the games around you, against teams that are recently promoted.

"You know wins against (Manchester) United and Arsenal and Chelsea are very difficult to come by.

"It doesn't mean you can't deal with them but the law of averages say the way you are going to stay in the Premier League is by winning the games against the teams that are around you."

The fixtures for next season are released on June 14 and Hughton is hoping the start will not be too daunting.

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