Chris Hughton denies accusation Brighton's players have 'downed tools' but says they will be aware of criticism
The Seagulls ended a four-game losing run in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw at Wolves on Saturday but that did not stop BBC pundit Martin Keown from saying Brighton's players had downed tools on Match Of The Day 2.
Asked at his pre-match press conference before tonight's game at Tottenham if he agreed it was a fair comment, Hughton said: "No, I certainly wouldn't. As with all pundits, it's their job and responsibility to say what they think.
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Hide Ad"I don't think anybody could accuse a group of players at Wolves on Saturday of it not meaning enough or downing tools. Absolutely that's not the case.
"We are a team of our level playing in the Premier League. Up until the last few weeks or last month or so we have been in a decent position in the league.
"For us our poorest period came at the worst time but that happens when you're playing in a division as difficult as this and you're the level of club we are.
"We have to find formulas and we have to pull our results to get the points we need."
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Hide AdHughton added his players will be aware of criticism they have received and said: "Criticism is part of the game.
"We've gone long periods of the season without that type of criticism. People are always entitled to their opinion but the most important opinion and the most important facts are what we do to address any difficult time we're having.
"The players will be aware of criticism, not all of it as some will shield themselves away from it.
"Some will go on Twitter, some won't. But they'll be aware of it.
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Hide Ad"What I saw on Saturday, even though some aspects weren't as good as we would like, was a performance from the team that showed they're desperate to stay in this division."
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