theargus.co.uk

Hurzeler reveals how he handles Albion pressure ahead of Liverpool test

But he can forget the quest for points this weekend as his Albion side visit Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The Seagulls are 14th in the Prem standings after an unfortunate midweek defeat at Aston Villa took their run over the last two-and-a-half months to one league win in 13 games.

They last tasted victory of any sort when they deepened what was, at that time, a Manchester United crisis by beating them in the third round of the FA Cup.

Some fans booed and chanted for Hurzeler to be sacked after Albion lost to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

But there appeared to be more togetherness at Villa and the club’s top decision-makers are known for being calm.

Hurzeler said: “No, I feel no pressure. I feel the pressure I put on myself to prepare the team the best I can do, to be there for them and to improve them every day.

“That's the most pressure I feel, because I always want to be the best version of myself, to try to be there for the club, try to be there for the fans, for the team, for the staff.

“I really feel the support not just from the club, we have daily exchanges.

“We speak quite honestly with each other. We talk about the reality of where we are at the moment.

“The reality is that it's not an easy situation, but in these tough times, you really see how you act with each other, how you treat each other, how you support each other.

“I really feel supported. I really feel the belief from the club and now it's about me, it's about us to give something back.”

Albion have stayed and trained at St George’s Park between their fixtures in Birmingham and on Merseyside.

Hurzeler was pleased with the reaction from players, staff and fans at Villa.

He added: “I learned a lot of positives yesterday from my players.

“I knew before that they have great personalities, great characters, but especially how they stick together, how they played football, how they defended against the ball, how they behaved throughout the last two, three days.

“It's incredible because also for them it's not been an easy time.

“It's easy to point the finger at each other but I didn't see that.

“I really see a team that comes together, that chose to create togetherness, and I think that's the main thing, how you can come out of these situations.”

Read full news in source page