Roberto De Zerbi is fired up for Albion ’s return to the Amex – and he wants fans to feel the same.

The head coach is aware of a focus in some quarters on his side going five games without a win in the Premier League.

At the same time, they are undefeated in four across the competitions and their only defeat in the last seven games came by the narrowest margins away to Manchester City.

They host a Sheffield United side on Sunday (2pm) who are currently bottom of the table but were buoyed by a win over Wolves.

De Zerbi’s men are injury-hit, with Lewis Dunk, James Milner and Pervis Estupinan all ruled out, and potentially weary after Thursday’s landmark 2-0 win at Ajax.

The Seagulls boss sees the potential dangers of the fixture, classing it as a “a final” and tougher than the game in Amsterdam.

He said: “I never ask anything of our fans but, on Sunday, we need their support to win the game.

“If we win on Sunday, I think we can reach a different level but not on the table, on the mentality – for that we have to prepare our best for the game, like a final.”

He is keen for results to be kept in perspective and added: “We are fighting. We are second in our group of the Europa League, we are seventh place in the Premier League.

“We lost three important players. Maybe sometimes you forgot.

“We are the only team who lost big players.

“Not Aston Villa, not Newcastle, not (Manchester) City, not West Ham.

“Brighton is competing, playing three games in a week.

“It is very hard work for us, it is a very tough season, and I’m sorry when I read we are not winning in five games.

“We have to understand the season, otherwise you are making a big mistake.”