Brighton boss Chris Hughton on recent results, team news, why goals have dried up, Frank Lampard, Declan Rice and more

Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie with Derby County. Here are the key points.

It's been a tough time results-wise. What's the mentality been like in the squad and around the changing room?

"The mentality has been very good, probably because ultimately we know it's about making sure we get as many points as we can and points have been lacking in this period.

"In between that we have managed to get through to this stage of the FA Cup and we are on the back of one of our better performances of the season against Watford only two weeks ago.

"The game against Burnley, I didn't think it was a just result but we are doing things at both ends of the pitch that are not warranting picking up points at the moment.

"Our level of performance has been good but we all know it's about picking points up."

Has the FA Cup been a refreshing distraction?

"We hope so. We don't play next Saturday either, we don't play until the Tuesday but we had full intention of wanting to get through to this stage of the competition.

"We've had hard fought games already but the teams we have put out in the last rounds justifies our intentions of wanting to go through and getting that nice balance between consistency and using the squad we have got.

"We're hoping it's a welcome distraction."

Several Premier League teams are out. Have your targets been altered with that in mind?

"For us, it has to be about making sure we get through this next round.

"If we start thinking beyond that then we won't get past a very good Derby side at the moment.

"But it is definitely a great opportunity for somebody. And we are part of that group of teams.

"It's unusual for so many Premier League teams to be out at this stage and even if we're not talking about winning it because ultimately it's generally going to be one of the top six who wins it.

"But there's a really good opportunity for somebody to get through to the latter stages which for a club like ourselves and lots of the other teams still in it is deemed a success."

Frank Lampard at Derby

"He's worked hard, has a very good manner and is very good with players. He would have played in different teams and different club sides, so you can imagine what he has picked up throughout his career but you never know until they get that opportunity.