While losses to both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest will have no doubt had Brighton fans fearing yet another failed promotion push, their win over Rotherham kept Huddersfield at an arm’s length, while keeping the pressure up with the leading Toon.
Even the mere notion of not making the automatic promotion spots at the end of the season would be enough to send the Seagulls into frenzy, with Chris Hughton’s side having been there or thereabouts for the entirety of the campaign thus far.
With nine games to go and the pressure truly ramping up for the south coast club, they host a Derby County side in a run of inconsistent form – they are currently ten points off the play-offs and have little to play for as the Championship season enters its business end. Should Brighton truly have it in them to deal with the pressure that comes with battling for the top two at this stage, it’s a game they really should be winning.
So, with that in mind, here are THREE things they need to ensure to earn three points off the Rams tomorrow night.
Get March and Knockaert into the game
There’s little doubt Solly March and Anthony Knockaert are among the best wide men in the league, though the losses to Newcastle and Forest saw the pair rarely get involved in too many attacking areas. March was a late substitute against the Magpies, while Knockaert couldn’t deliver the sort of quality we’ve come to expect from him.
The pair were more impressive against the Millers, though, with all due respect, should be doing that with ease. If they are going to break down a Derby defence who’ve proved somewhat stingy of late, utilising their wide attackers will be crucial.
Keep the pressure
Derby boss Steve McClaren recently lamented his side’s poor game management as a reason they drew with Preston North End in their last match, so Brighton need to ramp up the pressure all over the park to ensure that happens again. Should the game still be a close call late on, the Rams are always likely to make mistakes.
McClaren lamented the long ball tactics his side used in the closing stages against the Lilywhites and his side failed to keep the second ball, allowing Preston in to score a late leveller. Likely to be a scrappy affair, making the most of Derby’s nerves could be the best remedy for success.
Protect Forren
As a result of an injury to Shane Duffy, the Seagulls brought former Southampton defender Vegard Forren back to the south coast to help their promotion push. The Norway international has barely featured on these shores and will surely be off the pace, so the idea of Tom Ince running at him could be a scary one for Hughton.
With that in mind, the midfield needs to drop deeper and be wary of Derby’s threat on the counter, with Beram Kayal desperately needed to help cover the new man, or he could be in for a long evening.
