Chris Hughton calls for Brighton fans to raise the roof at Amex Stadium as he claims the home support 'will be vitally important for us'

  • Brighton host Newcastle at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday
  • Chris Hughton hopes the Brighton fans will be in full voice against Newcastle
  • Goalkeeper Tim Krul could be on the bench against his former club on Sunday 

Chris Hughton wants Brighton fans to turn up the volume at the Amex Stadium to help keep their side in the Premier League.

Newcastle head to the south coast for Sunday's Premier League encounter between the Sky Bet Championship's top two last season.

The Magpies have picked up three successive wins after opening the campaign with back-to-back defeats, as did Brighton, who currently sit on four points.

Chris Hughton's Brighton side host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Chris Hughton's Brighton side host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

After securing a 3-1 win over West Brom in their last home match, Hughton hopes the Seagulls fans will be in full voice against one of his former clubs as they bid to make full use of home advantage.


'It will be vitally important for us. It is the law of averages that each team will probably get more points at home than away,' Hughton said.

'We were very good at home last season and wonderful support that if anything got stronger and better as the season wore on, so far this season they have been excellent.

'They will turn up in their thousands and do their best to get behind the team, but we have to give them something to cheer.'

Hughton hopes Brighton supporters will be in full voice throughout the Premier League season

Hughton hopes Brighton supporters will be in full voice throughout the Premier League season

Goalkeeper Tim Krul could be on the bench against his former club, having turned a season-long loan into a permanent deal.

Hughton is glad to be able to call on the experience of the 29-year-old, who made his Albion debut in the Carabao Cup defeat against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

'This gives him a better feel of being here,' the Brighton boss said.

'Tim probably hadn't had the pre-season our other goalkeepers did as regards minutes in games, but he is a hugely experienced goalkeeper and it is certainly good to get him on a permanent deal.'

Goalkeeper Tim Krul could be on the bench against former club Newcastle on Sunday

Goalkeeper Tim Krul could be on the bench against former club Newcastle on Sunday

Brighton head to Arsenal on October 1 and following the international break will enter a run of fixtures against sides which Hughton feels his men can look to tackle head on.

'It is not being detrimental to anybody, but there are a group of six or seven teams that are going to be more difficult to get results against,' Hughton said at a press conference.

'I know it can be about your form, fortune and luck on the day, but for whatever points we get, you would think that on the law of averages they will be against the teams outside that top seven.

'That becomes quite a big group of teams, but you can only get results against any of those teams by earning them.'