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  1. Hurzeler on Ayari, 'togetherness' and Nottingham Forestpublished at 10:49 GMT

    Katie Stafford
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at American Express Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • There are "no new injury concerns which is quite positive going into the end of the season and final run".

    • Yasin Ayari will return to first-team training today and if "everything goes well then he might be an option for the weekend".

    • James Milner "needs a bit more recovery time" post-match than other players, but "he looked sharp again in the last two days on the training pitch" so is "definitely" an option for the Forest game.

    • He said their squad depth is "crucial" for them and it's healthy because "there's competition to get into the squad and the starting 11".

    • On the Brentford victory and what it means for their morale: "Wins create an energy and positive atmosphere. It puts the belief back into our quality, although we never lost it. It's an easier enjoyment when you come from a win, though."

    • He said he has "spoken a lot about togetherness in recent weeks," but he felt that on Saturday among the players and fans. He added: "It felt great to have the support of the fans and then for us to give them what they deserve."

    • On some of the negative reaction towards him: "I will never hide from criticism as it's my responsibility, but I am quite convinced it will be a great atmosphere [on Sunday] and a great opportunity for us."

    • He said "it's up to us how we start this game" against Forest and "body language" plays a big role in overall confidence. Hurzeler added: "Good body has an impact to everyone. If we have good body language on the pitch and positivity then I am convinced it will transform into the stands and we can all take this opportunity to win this game."

    • On Solly March and his road to recovery: "I've said we need to be patient with him. He needs game time to get back to his level but it's also about timing and not forcing it. He's getting closer and closer to the squad."

    Listen to live commentary of Brighton vs Nottingham Forest on Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 from 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

    Listen to Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

  2. 'Hurzeler put his head on the block and played lads that he could trust'published at 11:16 GMT 25 February

    Fabian Hurzeler applaudsImage source, Getty Images

    Former Brighton defender Warren Aspinall says fans were "astonished" by Fabian Hurzeler's team selection in Saturday's win over Brentford, but the players he picked "performed really well".

    "The manager put his head on the block with the team he picked," Aspinall told the Albion Unlimited podcast.

    "He knew if it backfired he would take the blame and the fans were ready to pounce on him.

    "Even the fans on our phone-in said they were astonished when they heard the team news so he was under pressure straight away. But, he put out lads that he could trust and they performed really well.

    "The people on the bench are on there for a reason. He played a left back at right wing and kept two players who can play right wing and cost £80m combined on the bench. Is that a wake up call about the two lads in [Yankuba] Minteh and [Georginio] Rutter?

    "I asked for a bit of bite and a bit more running, working a bit harder, and I got that. As a fan that's all you can ask for.

    "If we're going to beat teams we have to run more and if we can do that and outrun them by 10% it's like we're playing with an extra player.

    "We controlled the game in the first-half especially. Playing [James] Milner and [Pascal] Gross, two aging midfielders, worked. [Karou] Mitoma showed a bit more bite and did well defensively.

    "Week in and week out [Lewis] Dunk and [Jean Paul] Van Hecke perform to the highest level and kept Igor Thiago quiet."

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  3. 'Hinshelwood has got a mature head on his shoulders'published at 10:00 GMT 25 February

    Jack Hinshelwood applauds the supportersImage source, Getty Images

    Former Brighton defender Guy Butters says Jack Hinshelwood is being afforded the opportunity to "play with more freedom" in his new attacking role under Fabian Hurzeler.

    Having played in a predominantly defensive midfield role for the majority of the season, and deputising at right back on occasion, the 20-year-old played further forward in Saturday's 2-0 win at Brentford.

    He came close with two fine efforts and saw his cross lead to the Seagulls' second goal.

    "He's grown up around the football environment with his family," Butters told the Albion Unlimited podcast.

    "His dad, uncles and granddad will have had a huge impact on him.

    "He's come into the game naturally. It's not a surprise being around football players and around football stadiums.

    "He's got a mature head on his shoulders. He's played very well this season.

    "He can play in a number of positions, it's just trying to find out where he is best.

    "He's played in central midfield and filled in at right back.

    "For now, he is relishing playing in the number 10 role and having that leash off him to play with more freedom and go forward. "

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  4. 🎧A bit of bite about the Albionpublished at 08:04 GMT 25 February

    Brighton excelled at Brentford and Jack Hinshelwood has his say.

    That's just part of the Albion Unlimited podcast this week as former Seagull Warren Aspinall and BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor consider all the latest goings on at the club.

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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    Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

    Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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