Albion boss Sami Hyypia wants to build a bond at the Amex between his revamped team and the fans.

Hyypia believes the Seagulls’ home form will underpin their challenge in the Championship in his first season in charge.

He hopes the supporters will be firmly on-side, especially when games are not going according to plan.

 

Albion launch the Hyypia era against Sheffield Wednesday at the Amex today.

The former Liverpool defender was accustomed to home success and a strong relationship between players and fans during a decade at Anfield.

Now he wants to capitalise with Albion on the biggest fanbase in the Championship.

Hyypia told The Argus: “It’s very important that we make a good bond with our fans, that we give them something they can be pleased and happy about. I think always when it’s going well it’s easy to be a fan of a team.

“But sometimes people don’t remember that the team will need the fans in the bad periods and bad moments more than in the good moments.

“I would hope that our fans are that good that they will support the team in the bad periods as well, maybe even more than in the good periods. Then we will be okay.”