Fabian Hurzeler has opened up about the painful fan reaction to Brighton & Hove Albion's last derby defeat to Crystal Palace. The head coach said the memory of that February loss still lingers as his team, now third in the Premier League, prepares for Sunday's rematch at the Amex.
Hurzeler did not anticipate the negative chants directed at him following the 1-0 home loss on February 8. "Did I expect it? No, I didn’t expect that because I think we had great experiences before," he said. The defeat was a low point in a season that has since seen a dramatic turnaround, with Brighton currently on a five-game winning run across all competitions.
Hurzeler's response to criticism
He embraces feedback from supporters, even when it is tough. Hurzeler views such moments as an opportunity to build a stronger connection with the fanbase. "It’s not only building connection when everything is nice," he stated. "You also have to build connection when it’s tough." This approach is part of his broader philosophy of consistency, aiming to be a predictable role model for his players regardless of results.
The derby's significance
Sunday's fixture carries extra weight for Hurzeler, who is yet to taste victory in this particular rivalry. "It’s a derby, it’s more emotions, it’s a rivalry, it’s us against Crystal Palace," he described. He acknowledged the personal significance, adding, "With my history, I know we spoke about the situation, what happened after the last derby, and of course that stays also in my mind." A win would mark another powerful moment in the club's current resurgence, which has seen them collect 13 points from six league games to sit just five points off the top.
The team's form is formidable, with a 4-0 European victory over Kauno Žalgiris on Tuesday following a 2-0 league win at Sunderland. Hurzeler expressed a clear desire to finally celebrate a derby success with the supporters. "I would love to do it," he said, reflecting that in his journey so far, "one thing is still missing." The Seagulls host 12th-placed Crystal Palace this Sunday, October 18, looking to avenge that solitary defeat from eight months ago and extend their winning streak to six matches. The latest squad news and team sheets are always available on our squad page.
The report in full is at brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk
