Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil set for 'real test' against Brighton - 'they're a fantastic team'
AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil expects a 'real test' against Brighton but believes back-to-back home wins have boosted confidence in his side.
The Cherries fought back from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Brighton start the midweek fixtures sixth in the Premier League table and O'Neil is aware they will be tough opposition.
"We're in a decent position and the guys are taking advantage of it, but there's a big test coming in just over 24 hours," he told the club's website.
>"Brighton are a fantastic team, so it's a real test, especially with the speed of execution.
"There's not too much time, only a day in fact, to prepare the guys for what is a tough task against a very good team."
The win over Fulham came two weeks after a memorable win over Liverpool and put Bournemouth one point clear of the drop zone.
"The belief was shown from 30 minutes into the Fulham game - that belief was always there," O'Neil said.
"Of course some positive results and the guys being rewarded for some of their good work helped.
"We now look forward to two more really big games this week."
Bournemouth follows their meeting with Brighton with a trip to fellow Leicester wrestlers this weekend.
Marcus Tavernier came off the bench to score against Fulham but O'Neill warned of the 24-year-old's fitness.
"We have to be realistic about his current situation, but you've seen the impact he can have," he said.
"It's important that we try to keep him fit, work with him and keep improving him.
“We will try to make sure that this time he is back, he will stay back, because the last time we had him back for a secondary appearance, he started the next game and then we 'we lost."
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has conceded Tuesday night's run against Bournemouth is 'crucial'.
"It's another crucial game," said De Zerbi. "We lost two points against Brentford and we are playing very well.
"But if we want to achieve our goal, we have to improve in some details."
Asked about the team's goal, De Zerbi replied: "To play next year in Europe.
"What Europe, we don't know, we'll see. We want to play midweek next year - three games a week."
READ MORE: Premier League winners and losers… Potter and Rodgers pay the price as Newcastle and top two shine
AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil expects a 'real test' against Brighton but believes back-to-back home wins have boosted confidence in his side.
The Cherries fought back from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Brighton start the midweek fixtures sixth in the Premier League table and O'Neil is aware they will be tough opposition.
"We're in a decent position and the guys are taking advantage of it, but there's a big test coming in just over 24 hours," he told the club's website.
>"Brighton are a fantastic team, so it's a real test, especially with the speed of execution.
"There's not too much time, only a day in fact, to prepare the guys for what is a tough task against a very good team."
The win over Fulham came two weeks after a memorable win over Liverpool and put Bournemouth one point clear of the drop zone.
"The belief was shown from 30 minutes into the Fulham game - that belief was always there," O'Neil said.
"Of course some positive results and the guys being rewarded for some of their good work helped.
"We now look forward to two more really big games this week."
Bournemouth follows their meeting with Brighton with a trip to fellow Leicester wrestlers this weekend.
Marcus Tavernier came off the bench to score against Fulham but O'Neill warned of the 24-year-old's fitness.
"We have to be realistic about his current situation, but you've seen the impact he can have," he said.
"It's important that we try to keep him fit, work with him and keep improving him.
“We will try to make sure that this time he is back, he will stay back, because the last time we had him back for a secondary appearance, he started the next game and then we 'we lost."
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has conceded Tuesday night's run against Bournemouth is 'crucial'.
"It's another crucial game," said De Zerbi. "We lost two points against Brentford and we are playing very well.
"But if we want to achieve our goal, we have to improve in some details."
Asked about the team's goal, De Zerbi replied: "To play next year in Europe.
"What Europe, we don't know, we'll see. We want to play midweek next year - three games a week."
READ MORE: Premier League winners and losers… Potter and Rodgers pay the price as Newcastle and top two shine
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