Sean’s solid case for the defence

SEAN GREGAN . . . inspirational

ATHLETIC captain Sean Gregan is delighted with the way his side put the errors of a week ago firmly behind them.

Defensive howlers helped dictate the course of the Southampton game, but against a Brighton team with a potent forward line featuring Elliott Bennett, Liam Dickinson and Nicky Forster, the mean away-day mindset paid dividends just as it did in the recent goalless draw at Charlton.

Only frontrunners Leeds United have a better defensive record on the road in League One than Athletic . . . and the powerful centre-half has been a major factor.

In inspirational form of late, Gregan has not missed a game since signing a one-year deal.

He was originally released due to financial constraints, but has since marshalled the Athletic back line to five clean sheets in their last seven matches.

"We were disappointed after the Southampton game, not so much in the way that we played but in the goals that we conceded," said Gregan of the 3-1 defeat to the side relegated from the Championship last season.

"We looked for a reaction against Brighton and we got that.

"We dominated the game in the first half and could have gone in a goal up, though they had the best chance with the header that clipped the bar.

"We are a bit naive sometimes and need to kill teams off when we get on top.

"But we ended up with another clean sheet at a tough place to go to."

Gregan's partnership in the heart of defence with goalscoring hero Reuben Hazell was solid once again, and he knew frustration would set in among the Brighton players if Athletic were able to prevent them from scoring.

"Brighton are struggling at home and you could feel it around the place," said Gregan.

"It happened to us when we were in a bad run at the start of the season . . . you concede and the crowd moan and you think 'here we go again'.

"We have said all season that goals change games and I am also pleased for Reuben, as he played well defensively."