Hughes relishing Monday night clash

Saints host Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League clash this evening, as Monday Night Football comes to the south coast this week.

For Hughes and his coaching staff, it will be only a sixth home game in charge, with the vast majority of matches having been away since they took over in March.

"We're looking forward to it," he said. "Since we've walked through the door, I think I'm right in saying we've had a heck of a lot more away games than home games.

the guys are in good heart, they're fresh and they're ready to go.

mark hughes
southampton manager

"So we haven't had the experience of St Mary's on too many occasions, certainly in floodlit night games, so I'm looking forward to it.

"I think there's been an upgrade in floodlights and there could be a few different things on that front on the night itself, so everybody will be looking forward to that I'm sure."

Hughes is pleased with the shape his side are in heading into the match, having got some good work in over the international break.

"We've had a decent group in fairness – a group of maybe 11 or 12 senior players, so we've been able to put good work into them and relevant work in terms of what we're trying to embed in their mindsets," he said.

"The group's been good and it's been enjoyable to come together. We've been able to give the guys a little bit longer than maybe we would have been able to do, as a consequence of playing on Monday, so they're in good heart, they're fresh and they're ready to go."