'This badge does not give you the right to win' published at 09:50 BST 23 September
09:50 BST 23 September
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton's Jason Steele has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley: "You can't take Barnsley lightly. I have played up there and it's a tough place to go and play football.
"They have started the season really well under Conor Hourihane. We know it is going to be a tough game but we'll go up there full of confidence and belief that we can go into the next round.
"It goes without saying that if you don't apply yourself, you will lose. Simple as that.
"We saw the other night when Swansea came back against Nottingham Forest that if you don't concentrate and do all the basic things right then you will struggle at any level of football.
"We have got a really good talent of players coming through. We have more of a settled squad now that the transfer window has shut.
"It is important to make sure the message is clear to the younger lads in the game against Barnsley. Just because you wear this badge does not give you any right to go and win this game of football."
Is Hurzeler too positive about Brighton's start?published at 12:35 BST 22 September
12:35 BST 22 September
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I normally watch Brighton through the haze of multiple pints and a half-time glass of red wine. This can often lead to discrepancies between what I think I have seen on the pitch and what has happened.
Reviewing the post-game comments of Fabian Hurzeler after the draw with Spurs and defeat at Bournemouth, I initially thought this must be the case. Hurzeler seemed to have witnessed both games totally differently.
He talked about dominating and having chances at Vitality Stadium. My recollection was the Cherries having more possession, chances and shots on target.
After seeing Brighton squander a 2-0 lead against Tottenham on Saturday, Hurzeler said the two goals conceded were unlucky and there were a lot of good transition moments in the second half.
Did he mean the second half that felt like the Alamo with the Albion repelling wave after wave of Spurs attacks. Transition moments? Non-existent.
And I would not call leaving Richarlison unmarked in the six-yard box or Lewis Dunk missing an easy clearing header leading to Jan Paul van Hecke putting through his own goal unlucky.
Turns out there was no alcohol-induced warping of reality going on here. Other Albion supporters on social media were equally baffled by how Hurzeler had seen both games. Some presumably will have been sober.
This raises two possibilities. Maybe Hurzeler is remaining overwhelmingly positive about a disappointing start to the season to protect his players in public? In which case, fine.
More concerning would be if Hurzeler believes what he is telling the media. Because aside for the final 30 minutes of the 2-1 win over Manchester City, the Albion are yet to look like a side who can challenge for Europe – as is the stated aim.
Jon: Spurs were by far the better team. Against the run of play, we found ourselves two goals up, but seemed clueless as to how to maintain it. The second-half substitutions were baffling - bringing on defenders rather than trying to win the game. Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck's legs have gone. If we persevere with them rather than the new signings and youngsters, we will be hovering above the drop zone all season. Feels like it is going to be a long, hard season while Fabian Hurzeler continues to learn.
Joe: Hurzeler is tactically out of his depth. Surrendering a 2-0 lead with poor second-half substitutions - not for the first time. That completely changed the dynamic of the match.
Tim: An excellent first half and very good performances from Yasin Ayari, Ferdi Kadioglu and Yankuba Minteh. But trying to simply defend a one-goal lead for the entire second half was a doomed approach with the inevitable outcome. Hurzeler's substitutions made no sense and were a negative approach that nullified us as an attacking force.
Chris: Now Hurzeler is setting up to defend and counter-attack, allowing the opposition to gain a good foothold in the game before we do. Fortuitous goals but poor game management in the latter half and second best again overall. I'm losing interest in this season after five games. Hurzeler isn't cutting it, tactically or with setting up his team with any intensity or momentum.
Tottenham fans
Ian: For the first 30 minutes, it felt like Ange Postecoglou's team from last year. In the end, it felt like Thomas Frank's, with more guts and cohesion. Xavi Simons needs to play a number 10 role and Richarlison needs to stop rolling on the floor all the time. He is not a natural centre-forward and we need one to get fit for all those crosses from our excellent wing play.
Kevin: We need to cut out the sloppy passes (Cristian Romero a big culprit more recently) and be more decisive in the final third. Brighton were sharp and moved the ball quickly, which we struggled to deal with at times. Need to up the energy levels to match such opposition, and to do so I am not sure playing Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur together works. Showed good spirit to battle back from 2-0.
Terry: Frank can say whatever he wants, but it was still a pretty poor performance by Spurs. Why leave Djed Spence on the bench? And there were other poor selections as well. One point is better than none, but it was still a very bad result against a team like Brighton, if you want to finish in the four or five in the Premier League. Get a grip or the season could go like the last one.
Chris: I'm not happy about it but I'll take it! We didn't get the three points, granted. But to fight back and salvage one? It's a marked improvement in last year, so while it's not perfect, it is growth. Well done!
'Both teams will probably see the result as two points dropped'published at 08:09 BST 22 September
08:09 BST 22 September
Andy Stevenson Final Score reporter at Amex Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton have now not lost at home in 11 Premier League matches.
Having beaten Manchester City at the Amex last month, they held Tottenham to a creditable draw on Saturday, despite Spurs putting in their "best performance of the season", according to Thomas Frank.
And yet, I imagine the conversation among many Brighton fans after the match was whether the side was too passive after half-time.
Conceding a goal to Richarlison just before the break was undoubtedly a blow to Fabian Hurzeler and his team, but as the second half unfolded it was clear Tottenham had taken complete control.
The equaliser came in unfortunate circumstances from the home team's perspective, deflected in off Jan Paul van Hecke's thigh, but there is no doubt Spurs deserved at least a share of the spoils.
Could Brighton have done more on the front foot at 2-1 up to repel Tottenham?
Did they sit deep by design or were they forced into that rearguard action by the threat of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison, plus subs Xavi Simons and Brennan Johnson?
Whatever the reasons, both teams will probably see the result as two points dropped.
Gossip: Hurzeler offers Baleba advicepublished at 06:42 BST 22 September
06:42 BST 22 September
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has urged Carlos Baleba to remain grounded despite rumours of a move, with Manchester United interested in signing the midfielder in the summer. (Mirror), external