Pascal Groß has admitted Brighton’s biggest problem this season is their inability to find consistency, while also offering a strong defence of head coach Fabian Hürzeler amid growing frustration from supporters.
Sky Germany have an interview with the 34-year-old today. He discusses various topics about Brighton after returning to the club in the January transfer window.
The veteran made the move back to the South Coast in the winter window following an 18-month spell with Borussia Dortmund.
He has quickly integrated himself back into the Seagulls starting line up since, making 10 Premier League appearances and scoring one goal.
He’s very much a club legend following his first spell from 2017-2024, playing an instrumental role in the club’s rise, including their first-ever European qualification.
Brighton’s Inconsistency Laid Bare
He returns with Brighton at the other end of the table, sitting in 14th place on 37 points. It’s been an inconsistent campaign for them this season, with nine wins, ten draws and ten defeats in 29 games so far. And it is that inconsistency which he insists has to be fixed.
“I feel very comfortable – both personally and professionally,” he said.
“The league is a lot of fun. Every game is a huge challenge. We’re a team that can get something against anyone, but we can also have problems against anyone.
“These are things we need to improve. We have a squad with a lot of experience, but also a lot of young players. That’s also a big challenge, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Pressure Mounts on Fabian Hürzeler
Brighton’s inconsistency this season has led to pressure on manager Fabian Hürzeler as they’ve dropped to 14th in the table.
The team have been struggling since November, dropping from fifth place after a period of only one win in 13 games.
Growing impatience among the fanbase has led to boos during home games and calls for Hürzeler’s dismissal. Groß, though, has offered his backing to the 33-year-old coach.
“He’s very dedicated. We work on a lot of detail here. He tries every day to improve the team, but also the individual players,” he added.
“That’s not so easy. We have a lot of young players from different countries who need different things. But we still have to manage it as a team. It’s definitely a challenge here, but he’s doing a very, very good job.
“You can see the thoughts he puts into it every day and how he tries to improve us. For him too—he’s been here a bit longer now—the league is a huge challenge. And it’s just incredibly fun.”
Defining Fixtures Ahead for Brighton
With a trip to Sunderland followed by a daunting home clash against Liverpool, the coming weeks may define both Brighton’s season, and how long patience lasts around the Amex.
First up is the trip to Sunderland this weekend, before they then take on Liverpool at home on March 21st. The Seagulls do not have a good record against the latter in particular.
They’ve lost their last three encounters, including a 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup last month. Their only Premier League encounter with Sunderland, meanwhile, was a 0-0 defeat earlier this season.
But the Black Cats have one of the strongest home records in the league this season, despite two consecutive defeats at the Stadium of Light. That will perhaps offer Brighton hope.
