Brighton players frustrated and disappointed with recent form - Hughton

Brighton were 12 points clear of the relegation zone when they beat Crystal Palace at the beginning of December. However, Albion are winless in the league in 2019 and are now just three points above third-from-bottom Southampton.

Albion have lost to Fulham (4-2) and Burnley (3-1) in between a 0-0 draw with Watford in the Premier League and asked about the mood in the changing room ahead of Brighton's FA Cup fifth round tie with Derby tomorrow, Hughton said: "There will be a frustration and disappointment because in such a short period of time, the dynamics have changed a little bit.

"There was a perception most people felt we were quite comfortable but we never, ever felt that way.

"We were seven points clear of the relegation zone and in such a short period of time that changes.

"The confidence I still feel in the camp is because the level of performance hasn't been that bad.

"In Watford, the big criticism is we didn't win the game. We had numerous chances and the last two home games we've had an opposition goalkeeper that on both occasions has been man of the match.

"We are doing some things right and they're the things you latch on to. I don't feel a lack of confidence. A frustration, yes. A disappointment, yes. But we have to use that going forward."

Hughton feels Brighton's performances have been good enough to warrant more points but says his side need to have more of an end product.

He said: "I've been happy enough with the performances but there are performances and then there are an end product.

"What I've already stated is we need to be better in front of goal. We've spoken about goalkeepers who have had two man-of-the-match performances, we've got to make sure goalkeepers are not having those type of performances.

"And we have been guilty of conceding disappointing goals and some which are not like us.

"They're more the disappointments. What we've got to make sure and be careful of is that we are a level of team that are going to have ups and downs in this division.

"Every game is a difficult game for us and we are not going to go through a season without having difficult times or injuries or so.

"You have to bounce back from any disappointment and look forward to the next game."

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