Stephens demands Seagulls response – Betfred Blog

Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens admits Tuesday night’s clash with Cardiff City is huge and says the Seagulls need to stand up and be counted (Brighton 10/1 to be relegated).

Chris Hughton’s men have been plunged back into the thick of a relegation battle after they suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, but they do get the chance to respond quickly when they take on relegation rivals Cardiff City.

Another defeat would leave Neil Warnock’s men, who occupy the final relegation spot, just two points behind Brighton, and Stephens is demanding a response and a positive result to ease the nerves (Match Betting – Brighton 20/21, Draw 9/4, Cardiff 7/2).

“We don’t use excuses. We’ve prided ourselves on hard work and preparation for two years in the Premier League, but that was nowhere near it,” Stephens said. “But we move on and we’ve got a game on Tuesday, and what a massive game it is.

“We’re in a position where it’s still in our hands, we can still do something about it, which is a fortunate position to be in.

“The game against Cardiff was massive whatever the outcome against Bournemouth. Obviously, a result would have lifted the pressure slightly but we’ve got to stand up and be counted.”

The Cardiff camp also know how important the game is, and speaking after another loss at Burnley, midfielder Aron Gunnarsson says focus has quickly to Brighton.

“We need to get going again. Another huge game on Tuesday against Brighton that we need to prepare for,” he said. “We’re still obviously going to fight until the end, but it’s another big game.”

Odds subject to change.