- Jack Hinshelwood says Brighton can “attack” the Conference League
- Brighton secured Europe despite defeat to Manchester United
- The midfielder believes Albion can go deep in the competition
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jack Hinshelwood says the club can approach next season’s UEFA Conference League campaign “with full ambition” after securing a return to European football on the final day of the Premier League season.
Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Manchester United at the Amex Stadium, Brighton’s eighth-place finish was enough to confirm qualification for Europe following results elsewhere.
Hinshelwood reacts to Brighton securing Europe
For Hinshelwood, the emotions after full-time were mixed. He said: “For a bit I couldn’t tell whether I was half fuming or half buzzing.”
The academy graduate was frustrated by the result against United and the missed opportunity to secure a Europa League place, but the reaction from supporters inside the stadium quickly shifted the mood.
“The fans’ reaction, you can see how much it meant to them to get a European place,” he said.
“After the Palace game at home, if you’d said we’d finish eighth and get in the Conference League, then we would have snapped your hand off.”
“We can attack the Conference League”
Hinshelwood pointed to Brighton’s dramatic improvement in form towards the end of the season as the key factor behind their European qualification.
“Brentford away was a massive turning point for us,” he explained. “The run we went on after that set us on our way because we were so disappointed with the game here against Palace and the games before.”
Although Albion narrowly missed out on the Europa League places, Hinshelwood believes the Conference League presents a genuine opportunity for the club.
“I’m still a little bit gutted that we didn’t pick up any points from the last two games, which would have got us Europa League,” he said.
“But at least we can attack the Conference League now with our full ambition.
“Once we get our heads around it, I think we’ve got a massive opportunity to really go and do well. You’ve seen the English clubs doing well in the last couple of years, so I think it’s a tournament we can go deep into.”
READ MORE: Brighton face huge rebuild after Europe qualification – Read Brighton
Brighton preparing for European football again
The 21-year-old experienced European football during Brighton’s Europa League campaign in the 2023/24 season and believes that experience will benefit the squad heading into another demanding schedule.
“I sort of broke through that season,” he said. “I think I only started two Europa League games, but the experience was incredible and something I’ve been itching to get back and do for this club.”
Hinshelwood also believes Brighton are now better prepared for the physical and tactical demands of balancing domestic and European football.
“I think we’ve had that Thursday-Sunday experience now. We know what it takes,” he added.
“Most of us have had a taste of what it’s like. We’ll be prepared for that schedule and look forward to it. Thursday, Sunday, more games of football. It’s what we want as players. It’s what the fans want. Bring it on.”
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