Albion brushed aside Tromso in the play-off round (Image: Simon Dack)
Albion brushed aside Tromso in the play-off round (Image: Simon Dack)
Albion have learned to enjoy being favourites as well as underdogs.
Now they can show how much they progressed in that by sweeping aside Lithuanian minnows at the Amex.
The Seagulls kick off the league phase of the UEFA Conference League as they take on Kauno Zalgiris (8pm).
Although Zalgiris are top of their domestic league and won the cup on Sunday, a home win will be the most expected outcome.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have always been dangerous underdogs against the Premier League big guns.
But they appear to have learned how to win as favourites in more recent times.
Hurzeler said: “It’s a topic we always had here also in my time.
“I think we can push a little bit away now that we only perform against the good teams.
“I think we proved it, we showed it in several games now that it's not only against good teams.
“We are performing also against teams who might be on our level or a little bit below our level.
“We are doing well and I think the main thing is to really the focus on us and focus on our style of play.
“We want to play our football with our values, with our principles, no matter who we face.
“So it's really like, no matter if it's a friendly game, Carabao, Cup, FA Cup or Premier League game, or now a Conference League game, we want to play our football, and that's the mindset that my players need to have.
“That we shouldn't get to the level from our opponents.
“We should try to raise our levels and that's the mindset my players have.
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“I think that's something where we do and did a good progress in.”
Jack Hinshelwood is expected to return after an ankle injury with Georginio Rutter likely to start in attack.
Hurzeler gave no clues as to who would be in goal but, in other areas, Jaouen Hadjam, Costinha, Michael Svoboda, Ibrahim Osman, Matt O’Riley and Promise David all appear to be candidates for some involvement.
All trained at Lancing yesterday, as did young winger Younes Ibrahim.