What is one thing no-one is talking about?published at 08:42
08:42
Heading into Thursday's trip to strugglers Ipswich, Brighton are on an eight-match winless run and have dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time this season.
However, Fabian Hurzeler will hope a convincing 4-0 FA Cup win at Norwich City can reignite the Seagulls' campaign after a promising start under the German manager.
There's always so much chat between fans that never makes the mainstream media.
So we want to know the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Brighton but really should be?
In the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler discusses Julio Enciso's future and Brajan Gruda's best position, while winger Solly March reflects on the FA Cup.
The team are also joined by Ipswich commentator Brenner Woolley to preview the game at Portman Road, and also look ahead to Sunday's trip to Manchester United.
'Fellow managers should learn from Hurzeler'published at 12:34 14 January
12:34 14 January
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
On a third round weekend featuring hardly any upsets, low crowds at a number of ties, and with the scandalous lack of replays still a talking point, some have proclaimed the magic of the FA Cup dead.
Try telling that to Brighton fans, players, management - and in particular Solly March. The world's greatest cup competition remains just that after this weekend to those with Seagulls connections.
Over 2,500 Albion supporters made the journey to Norwich on a day when rail replacement buses across Suffolk and Norfolk made getting there difficult.
They were rewarded by Fabian Hurzeler playing the strongest possible XI available to him. The youngest permanent manager in Premier League history he might be, but Hurzeler showed the sort of respect to the FA Cup which many of his older contemporaries should learn from.
The message from Hurzeler was clear - Brighton want to go far in this competition. The result of taking the game seriously was Georginio Rutter playing himself back into form with a brace and Julio Enciso ending a 20-month wait for an Albion goal. Both good FA Cup storylines in their own right for Brighton.
But the real magic came from March. Hurzeler introduced the popular homegrown winger from the bench on 71 minutes. It was just his second substitute appearance after 14 months out caused by the second ACL injury of his career, requiring two knee surgeries to fix.
There had been genuine fears March might not play again. Yet here he was, scoring an exquisite curling effort from outside the box with his first touch only three minutes after coming on. It was the sort of fairy tale moment the FA Cup specialises in.
Hurzeler said afterwards the goal and the celebrations which followed gave him goosebumps. Imagine how Herr Hurzeler will feel if March is the man bagging the winner at Wembley on 17th May.
Hurzeler on injuries, Ferguson and Ipswichpublished at 11:31 14 January
11:31 14 January
Tyrese King BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game at Ipswich Town (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler has confirmed defender Igor Julio will be out for the rest of the season after surgery on his hamstring but Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Jan Paul van Hecke are available.
Georginio Rutter and Yankubu Minteh picked up "small" problems during the FA Cup win at Norwich City and are doubtful.
On Joao Pedro's fitness: "We will have to see today. He's training with the team and then we can decide if we'll take the risk to play him. What's most important is how the player feels. We won't do any stupid things. He hasn't been able to get into his rhythm but I spoke to him yesterday for a long time and he's in a comfortable place. Of course he would want to be on the pitch for every game, but sometimes your body doesn't want the same thing."
The Brighton boss believes it is "very important" for Evan Ferguson to get consistent game time after his injury problems but, while the striker is "back on the pitch", Hurzeler thinks it is "too early" for him to return to action.
He did not rule out a loan move for Ferguson in this transfer window, adding: "The decision should be is what is best for the player and for the club."
He said it "will be a challenge" against Ipswich because they are a team that can "play out from the back" but also "defend really compact in a 5-4-1 low block".
On Ipswich's top scorer Liam Delap: "I heard that Delap was a special talent when he played at my former club [Manchester City]. He's the whole package, and has had impressive performances for someone so young. He plays like an experienced striker and is so fast and athletic with a shot. He's a big, big weapon."
Andy: Terrific second-half performance after a mixed first half. Yankuba Minteh and Carlos Baleba looked powerful and poised on the ball and the early signs are that both have the potential to do great things in the game. Solly March's rocket was the icing on the cake and indicative of his hunger to rediscover the superb form he was showing before another extended period on the sidelines. I really believe that with a bit of fortune, this is Brighton's best chance in years to lift the trophy.
John: A very welcome result considering how our league performances have been recently.
Nick: Good to finally get back to winning ways! After a scary first 20 minutes, we grew into the game and Minteh looked menacing throughout. It may just be me, but has Kaoru Mitoma lost his spark? Hopefully not. A good win capped off by a great Solly March goal!
Chris: What could have been a difficult game turned into the perfect afternoon. A win, a clean sheet, Georginio Rutter back among the goals and a first of the season for Julio Enciso. However none of that can beat the sight of Solly March scoring after such a long time out injured - the reaction of the players and the fans tells you how much that meant to us all. Oh and shoutout to Shane Duffy, forever a Brighton legend.
Prof: Oh the joys of winning again. Superb goals from Rutter and Enciso, with the cherry on the cake being Solly's goal. Norwich are a decent team so to have the chant "we want our ball back" when they were in possession added to the fun day out.
Media caption,
Brighton dominate at Norwich to cruise into fourth round
'Want to contribute where I can' - Marchpublished at 09:36 13 January
09:36 13 January
Image source, Getty Images
Solly March spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after FA Cup victory against Norwich City: "It was a nice afternoon - to score to top off a win. Hopefully it will be more of the same to come.
"The [recent] performances haven't been bad at all - the draws have been tough to turn into wins. It's tough to keep clean sheets. We've scored four goals so hopefully it can set us on a path"
"It's more minutes in the legs. I'm probably a while off starting, but I want to contribute where I can. I feel good and hopefully I can build it up over the next weeks and months."
Striker Georginio Rutter added: "I would say [it was a perfect game]. The team showed good character and we took the game seriously.
"I scored so I'm happy, Solly scored so everyone is happy, and Ruairi [McConville] made his first appearance for Brighton so everyone is happy. A perfect day.
"Solly is important for everyone. I didn't know him before, but when he returned to training everyone was happy. He has worked hard to come back."
