Lewis Dunk wants a response from his Brighton and Hove Albion team mates when they welcome Leeds United to the Amex Stadium this weekend.
The Seagulls were beaten by Aston Villa in Steven Gerrard’s first match as manager on Saturday, extending their winless run to eight matches.
Their strong start to the season has been cancelled out in the last five weeks and they have slipped down the table into ninth.
While that is a position that Brighton would be more than happy to finish the season in, Dunk is worried about the continuation of their current slump.
"We are in a much position than we have been,” he told Sussex Live. “Usually we are floating around the relegation zone. At the moment we are a little bit away.
"You can get sucked in quick and we have to make sure that doesn't happen. We know what we are about and we have a big home game coming up (against Leeds)."
While there are eight places separating the two sides who meet in Saturday’s evening kick-off, Brighton are only six points better off than the Whites.
Despite their poor form, Graham Potter will go into the clash with added optimism as his side won both matches against Leeds last season.
They followed up a narrow 1-0 victory at Elland Road with a 2-0 win at the Amex and will be hoping for more of the same at the weekend.
However, if their struggles in front of goal continue then it is hard to see them picking up all three points, something that worries Dunk.
"It is a concern but it is a tough league. The performances we are putting in are good but it is hard to win games," said the Brighton captain.
"From the outside you can sit there and say you should be beating this team and that team but it is not so easy.
"It’s no good just controlling the game. We have got to get in front and defend it. We lacked that and we got punished.”
A lot of what Dunk said will resonate with Leeds supporters who have been left frustrated by the Whites’ lack of cutting edge in the attacking third this term.
Saturday’s clash will provide both teams with the chance to ignite, or reignite, their campaigns as, between them, they have just one win from their last five matches.
