The key points from Brighton manager Chris Hughton's post-match Southampton press conference

Chris Hughton was pleased with Albion's performance as they exited the Carabao Cup to Southampton this evening.
Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyChris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Charlie Austin’s late header sealed a third round tie for the Saints, leaving Albion to focus on their Premier League campaign.

Here are the key points from Hughton’s post-match press conference:

Team performance

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“Overall, I'm delighted with what the players gave. Disappointed to concede so late in the game but delighted with the application and probably what Southampton showed is that they’ve got more depth than what we’ve got.

“They have no real injuries at the moment and can comfortably make the changes that they needed to make. Really delighted with the young ones because it was a big test for them.”

Jahanbakhsh

“With Ali he came back late from World Cup duty, what he has to do is adapt to the game here which will take a little bit of time. There’s no doubt he’s a talent, we know that from what he produced in Holland last season.

“He didn’t start at the same time as everybody else so he’s a little bit behind. But he’ll certainly get up to speed and the likes of this game wouldn’t have done him any harm.”

Gross’s deeper role

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“Once I decided a team to play and I knew our two young centre halves, I made the decision to play three in midfield.

"I felt that Pascal in that deeper position, who’s very good on the ball, could orchestrate a little more there. I must admit it’s not really a position I see him in.”

Locadia

“What you’ll get with these games is players that haven’t played as regularly than others and sometimes it takes a bit longer to get into the rhythm, the real levels of competitiveness that you need in each game.

“I thought he worked hard enough. When you’re a striker, when you’ve been playing regularly things fall for you a bit and probably give you a bit of an edge, with Jurgen certainly he’s been working hard he just needs a bit of a break I think.”

Young centre back pairing

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“I was delighted with them. They had some scary moments and some areas where they could have done better but then you look at them, particularly young Ben Barclay who will come away from this game having played against Gabbiadini and Austin. These are top Premier League players so they would have learnt from that. Overall, I’m happy with their contribution.”

Injuries

“Lewis Dunk is better than what we thought which is really good. He and Bruno are the closer ones. More realistically it will be after the international break.”