There is no point denying it.
Being without four first team regulars through injury until January at the earliest is a cumulative setback to Albion's promotion bid.
The dual loss of Liam Rosenior and Kazenga LuaLua compounds the absences of Gaetan Bong and Sam Baldock.
It need not, however, necessarily derail the chances of Chris Hughton's side finishing in the top two.
Albion have been without LuaLua on the left-wing due to groin trouble since September. The number of wins have dried up a little but they have still remained unbeaten in ten matches.
Bong ruptured a thigh tendon in the home draw against Preston at the end of October. Two victories and three excellent away draws, at Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, have followed without the first choice left-back.
Striker Baldock suffered thigh damage as well during the home win last month against his former club MK Dons.
Since then Albion have built on the stalemate at Burnley in last Saturday's home game against Birmingham, in which Rosenior sustained medial knee ligament damage.
Inigo Calderon replaced him with more than an hour remaining. The Seagulls were drawing 1-1 at the time but went on to win 2-1.
The resilience of the squad assembled by Hughton has already been well and truly tested. They have always responded.
There is no reason to fear they will suddenly buckle under the strain now, not even in a tough December spanning six matches, including clashes against closest challengers Middlesbrough and Derby.
The loan signings of James Wilson from Manchester United and Rajiv Van La Parra from Wolves compensate for LuaLua and Baldock. In fact, combined, it could be argued they represent an improvement.
Even if Van La Parra's stay does not stretch beyond January 2, Irishman Richie Towell will be available from then to add to the attacking mix, together with the prospect of further squad strengthening in the transfer window.
Solly March and Jamie Murphy are performing well down the flanks, Bobby Zamora is chipping in with vital goals.
Tomer Hemed is still contributing, even though the goals have dried up for the Israeli international centre-forward.
Defensive cover elsewhere is strong. The only real concern is that left-back spot. The dependable Calderon, although less energetic, is capable of filling the gap almost as well as Rosenior has during Bong's absence.
If Hughton loses Calderon as well, or one or both of the key central midfield pairing of Beram Kayal and Dale Stephens, that will be the time to panic about the implications, not now.
Original article
Being without four first team regulars through injury until January at the earliest is a cumulative setback to Albion's promotion bid.
The dual loss of Liam Rosenior and Kazenga LuaLua compounds the absences of Gaetan Bong and Sam Baldock.
It need not, however, necessarily derail the chances of Chris Hughton's side finishing in the top two.
Albion have been without LuaLua on the left-wing due to groin trouble since September. The number of wins have dried up a little but they have still remained unbeaten in ten matches.
Bong ruptured a thigh tendon in the home draw against Preston at the end of October. Two victories and three excellent away draws, at Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, have followed without the first choice left-back.
Striker Baldock suffered thigh damage as well during the home win last month against his former club MK Dons.
Since then Albion have built on the stalemate at Burnley in last Saturday's home game against Birmingham, in which Rosenior sustained medial knee ligament damage.
Inigo Calderon replaced him with more than an hour remaining. The Seagulls were drawing 1-1 at the time but went on to win 2-1.
The resilience of the squad assembled by Hughton has already been well and truly tested. They have always responded.
There is no reason to fear they will suddenly buckle under the strain now, not even in a tough December spanning six matches, including clashes against closest challengers Middlesbrough and Derby.
The loan signings of James Wilson from Manchester United and Rajiv Van La Parra from Wolves compensate for LuaLua and Baldock. In fact, combined, it could be argued they represent an improvement.
Even if Van La Parra's stay does not stretch beyond January 2, Irishman Richie Towell will be available from then to add to the attacking mix, together with the prospect of further squad strengthening in the transfer window.
Solly March and Jamie Murphy are performing well down the flanks, Bobby Zamora is chipping in with vital goals.
Tomer Hemed is still contributing, even though the goals have dried up for the Israeli international centre-forward.
Defensive cover elsewhere is strong. The only real concern is that left-back spot. The dependable Calderon, although less energetic, is capable of filling the gap almost as well as Rosenior has during Bong's absence.
If Hughton loses Calderon as well, or one or both of the key central midfield pairing of Beram Kayal and Dale Stephens, that will be the time to panic about the implications, not now.
Original article