Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler is fully focused on addressing his team’s goal-scoring struggles as they prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Brentford on Friday. The Seagulls have encountered some difficulties in recent matches, with their latest fixture against West Ham ending in a 1-1 draw, a game where they failed to capitalize on numerous chances. Despite having 12 shots, only half of them hit the target, and they were unable to convert more than one goal in a match that they had the potential to win.
This disappointing result is part of a broader trend for Brighton, who have experienced a mixed run of form with three draws and two losses in their last five matches. After a strong start to the season, they now find themselves in 10th place in the Premier League standings. While they remain a solid team defensively and have shown moments of attacking quality, the inability to finish chances has held them back from achieving the results they desire.
Hurzeler, however, remains calm about the situation and is not pressing the panic button. He acknowledges the need to improve the clinicality in front of goal but stresses that it's not just a matter of training more intensively. “Not in an artificial way. We train a lot, we continue to train a lot. It is not a case of because we are not scoring a lot we train more,” Hurzeler explained. The manager believes that the team’s approach to training should remain consistent, with an emphasis on maintaining a balanced, sustainable method rather than overloading the players with pressure in an attempt to fix the issue.
One of the key takeaways for Hurzeler is that his side has still managed to score in each of their last 13 Premier League matches, a statistic that reflects their attacking intent and potential. However, they have only scored more than once in one of their last five games, which is where the challenge lies. The manager is well aware that to compete for European places, his team must be more efficient in front of goal, converting chances into points.
The upcoming match against Brentford represents an important opportunity for Brighton to overcome their recent run of mixed results. Hurzeler will be hoping that his side can use their home advantage to get back to winning ways. Historically, Brighton has done well against Brentford, remaining unbeaten in all three Premier League encounters between the two sides, with two wins and one draw at home. However, Hurzeler is quick to caution that past statistics don't guarantee future success. “We prepare like any other game. I am not a fan of statistics like that. They don’t give you any guarantee to win the game,” he remarked.
For Hurzeler, the emphasis is on delivering an intense, focused performance to break the cycle of disappointing draws and losses. He is determined that Brighton’s players will approach the match with the right mindset, keeping their focus on the task at hand rather than dwelling on the past. “We have to show intensity, we have to show fight for our fans, for the supporters who are backing us,” Hurzeler added, highlighting the importance of mental resilience during tough periods.
Brentford, on the other hand, will come into the game looking to bounce back after losing their unbeaten home record to Nottingham Forest in a 2-1 defeat. The Bees have struggled on the road this season, collecting just one point from their away fixtures, the lowest tally in the Premier League. Their form in 2024 has been disappointing, with only Everton having accumulated fewer points than Brentford's 11.
This discrepancy between the two teams’ current form makes Brighton slight favorites heading into the game, but Hurzeler knows that his side cannot take anything for granted. Brentford will be determined to turn their away form around, and Brighton must be prepared for a challenging encounter.
Ultimately, Hurzeler’s goal for Brighton is to stay calm, focus on their process, and ensure that their attacking play becomes more clinical in the final third. With their strong home form and the desire to get back to winning ways, this match presents an opportunity for the Seagulls to improve their position and move closer to their goals for the season.
