Huddersfield v Brighton: Jonathan Hogg confident Town can remain Championship's surprise package

Jonathan Hogg: His defensive midfield partnership with Aaron Mooy has been key.

The Terriers host Chris Hughton’s Seagulls in the first of two huge games at The John Smith’s Stadium inside four days with Leeds United due in town on Sunday.

More than 42,000 fans are expected at the matches with two of Town’s promotion rivals that are both being shown live on Sky Television.

“When you play, you don’t even think about it being on TV,” said Hogg when asked if David Wagner’s men can make a statement of intent in front of the live cameras. “It is all about your own performance, not who is watching.

“We have probably turned a few people’s heads already. The way we have been playing, some teams haven’t been able to handle us. Our fitness and the way we play is different class.

“People do recognise us, though maybe we don’t get the credit we deserve. But we can change that.

“Plus, there is always a dark horse who does well in the Championship. Brighton did that last season and a couple of years ago it was Burnley.

“They snuck up and people were saying: ‘The squad is too small, they will fall away’. Let’s hope we can do the same.”

Brighton were pipped to automatic promotion on the final day of last season by Middlesbrough after the two sides drew 1-1 at the Riverside. The south coast club, not among the sides tipped for promotion in the summer of 2015, then lost in the play-off semi-finals to Sheffield Wednesday.

Burnley, meanwhile, were even less fancied to go up in 2013-14 but finished as runners-up to Leicester City.

If Town can take six or even four points from these next two fixtures then they will surely be well placed to finish in the top six. Two positive results would also cap a fine week that began with an FA Cup win at Rochdale and then the landing of a fifth round glamour tie against Manchester City.

“The draw is a good one,” added Hogg, whose partnership with Aaron Mooy in defensive midfield has been a huge factor in Town’s unexpected promotion push.

“Hopefully, we can get a full house at the stadium. We have nothing to lose against one of the top teams in Europe.

“It is a freebie, really. If they don’t come with their A-game and we do then we will have a chance. It won’t be easy but we will relish the opportunity we have given.

“For me, it is probably the biggest Cup game I will have been involved in. I haven’t had a decent run so this is a bit special.

“Certainly, since I came to Huddersfield we have struggled and usually gone out at the first stage. So this is nice.

“What it won’t be, though, is a distraction. And that is down to how big these next two games will be for us. The Cup game won’t be in anyone’s head, we all know we need to be at it against Brighton and Leeds.

“We need to concentrate on the league more than we do the Cup. We are in such a good position and these next two games are vital for what we want to do this season.

“They are two massive games against teams in and around us. We have to be focused on that and can’t even focus on the Cup game.

“We want a positive result to set us up for Sunday. We have a brilliant home record and the good thing for us is we have played the big six or seven away already.”

Last six games: Huddersfield Town DWWLWW, Brighton & Hove Albion WWLWWL.

Referee: J Linington (Newport).

Last time: Huddersfield Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1; August 17, 2015; Championship.”