Fabian Hurzeler reacts to Tony Bloom ‘pressure’ at Cheltenham Festival ahead of Man City
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler insists he loves the pressure as Brighton enter the final furlong of the season.
The Seagulls are seventh in the Premier League – just one point off the Champions League spots – and into the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
Chairman Tony Bloom – speaking in an interview on ITV from the Cheltenham Gold Cup – said the Seagulls are on the brink of history as they target the top five and the FA Cup.
Bloom stated their home Cup draw against Nottingham Forest is “reasonably kind” and that the Seagulls are “pushing on for the top five.”
Brighton, who have won their last six matches face fifth placed Manchester City tomorrow, where victory would boost their hopes of Europe.
“Honestly, I love pressure,” said Hurzeler ahead of this Saturday’s trip to the Etihad. “I always find a way to deal with the pressure. That’s also what I put on myself, so I don’t feel the pressure from outside or from the owner.
“Because in the end, I put the biggest pressure on myself. I’m the most demanding person on my own and I want to get the best for the club and that’s to be the most successful.
“We try it by doing it with daily behaviour, trying to pushing our limits every day, working to get the best out of the group, trying to get the best out of everyone in every way.
“That’s what we try to do for the rest of the season. We see where we’ll end up at the end of the season.”
Bloom suffered disappointment earlier this week at Cheltenham as his horse Energumene was beaten to the post by Marine Nationale in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. But roared back with a 100-1 winner as Poniros claimed a surprise victory in the first Triumph Hurdle on Cheltenham Gold Cup da
‘No’ – Brighton rocked by another injury blow before Man City as Fabian Hurzeler issues fitness update
Brighton will be without the talents of Lewis Dunk, Matt O’Riley and Joel Veltman for the trip to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Skipper Dunk has been sidelined with a rib injury for the last five matches and continues his recovery. O’Riley had a stomach bug for the 2-1 FA Cup fifth round win at Newcastle and then missed last Saturday’s victory against Fulham with a knee issue.
This Saturday’s match at the Etihad will arrive too soon for both.
“It’s getting closer, but it’s still not an option,” said Hurzeler in his pre Manchester City press conference. “So hopefully he can use the international break so that he will be back for the game against Nottingham.
The head coach added: “Matt O’Reilly still has a little bit of problems with his knee, so he won’t be an option for tomorrow, but also he can use the international break quite good to be an option for Nottingham.”
O’Riley is one of a number of summer signings – including Ferdi Kadioglu and Mats Wieffer – who have struggled with injuries this term.
“I still have the hope that they will be good this season,” Hurzeler said. “So we’re working hard on this and they’re working hard on this and I think the season is still long, there’s still a lot of games to play, so therefore we really try to push hard to get them back to the team as quick as possible.
