Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has told Brighton and Hove News how important the points gap to the teams outside the play-offs can be.
Hughton made it clear Albion had targeted a top six finish at the start of the season and said that the points gap to the team in seventh place was as important as the position the team were in now.
The manager went on to say he thought the Albion deserved to be in the position they were in and had been competitive this season.
He said: “We embarked on this campaign wanting to challenge. What we have managed to do so far is, of course, better than that.”
He also told @bhcitynews the club had come through two very tough away games, adding: “It’s a vital period. We always knew these three games would show something about us a team – and if we can come through them and stay in that group of teams, at the top, then these three games have had a say in it.”
The last of the three games Hughton was referring to takes place tomorrow (Saturday 19 December) at the Amex, against now top of the league Middlesbrough.
The Seagulls will go back to the top if they can beat Boro and will also beat West Ham’s modern-day second tier record of 21 unbeaten matches.
They will then become the longest running unbeaten second tier team since Liverpool in 1893 if they avoid defeat.
The match kicks off at 12.30pm and will be screened on Sky Sports 1.
