Brighton & Hove Albion interim head coach Andrew Crofts has expressed his pride and excitement ahead of leading the first team for this weekend's Premier League clash at Bournemouth.
The 38-year-old has been placed in temporary charge of the Seagulls following the departure of head coach Graham Potter to Chelsea.
Crofts made 125 appearances across two spells as a player at Brighton – firstly between 2009 and 2010, and then between 2012 and 2016 – and has since been in charge of the club's Under-21s for the last 12 months.
While Brighton search for a successor to Potter, Crofts will be supported by his assistant Shannon Ruth, set-play coach Nick Stanley, Adam Lallana and assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Stern.
Speaking to the club's official website ahead of Saturday's trip to the Vitality Stadium, Crofts insists that he is fully focused on the task in hand and he is hoping that the club can build on their strong start to the new campaign without the presence of Potter.
"At the moment all I am thinking about is the group and what the group need over the next few days," Crofts said on Thursday.
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"I'm proud and excited, I've been associated with the football club for such a long period of time over different spells, but it's not about me, it's about what the club needs and what the players need.
"The main focus is going to Bournemouth, to stay in the moment that they're in as a group, to fight as hard as we can to get more points on the board and with what I have seen this season, they're in such a good place, such confidence, you can see they're really enjoying their football and looking forward to the next game.
"They know where they're at and what they've had to do to get to that point, so it's very much a case of keeping it the same as what they've been doing, we don't need to change anything.
"We just have to help drive what they've been doing. They've worked so hard as a group to get to where they are now, it's just a case of helping them in any way we can."
Crofts took charge of first-team training on Thursday morning, shortly after Potter said his goodbyes, and he stated that the players remain upbeat ahead of Saturday's game.
"The lads were great, the energy was really good," Crofts added. "You know there is going to be disappointment with Graham and the staff leaving the club, because of the relationships they've built up. But we've spoken about it and the boys were straight to work on the training pitch and because they're so professional they couldn't wait to train.
"The energy and intensity was really good, it was a really positive morning in terms of the work we got done on the grass."
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Experienced playmaker Lallana is one who will help support Crofts during his interim reign in charge, and he has revealed that the 34-year-old has had a huge influence both on and off the pitch since joining the club in 2020.
"I spoke to Adam, he's been outstanding in terms of speaking about what the boys need. He knows the dressing room inside out because he's been a massive driver in getting the group to where they are now.
"Not only is he a top player and person, but he's going to be massive for the club in the next few days, I can't thank him enough. We're looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully it will be an exciting couple of days."
On Potter's departure to Chelsea, Crofts added: "It's a reflection of him to see where he has taken the club from, to where we are now, that has generated interest from big clubs.
"Since he's come into the building, what he has created with the staff, the players and everyone has been unique. It just gives the club such a good platform to build on.
"On behalf of everyone at the club we wish him all the best in his next chapter alongside the members of staff that will be joining him there."
Brighton, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, could momentarily move above league leaders Arsenal with a victory against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
