Is a prolific goalscorer essential for Albion to gain promotion to the Premier League?
That is the question occupying supporters approaching the end of the transfer window.
The Seagulls are determined to sign another striker, either by the deadline on Monday evening or during the emergency loan transfer window which follows soon after and ends in March.
A proven goalscorer, whether it is Glenn Murray or somebody else, would undoubtedly improve the chances of Chris Hughton's team finishing in the top six, or preferably the top two.
It does not, however, mean you cannot be promoted automatically or via the play-offs without one. Other teams have done done it during the Amex era by spreading the goals around.
The last two seasons have highlighted the need for a 20 goals a season marksman, the previous two seasons less so.
Callum Wilson's 20 league goals played a leading part in Bournemouth being crowned champions in May.
Troy Deeney went one better for runners-up Watford, while Cameron Jerome scored 18 for play-off winners Norwich.
It was a similar story the year before, when Albion reached the play-offs under Oscar Garcia.
Champions Leicester had 20-goal David Nugent. Former Albion loan signing Sam Vokes and Danny Ings netted 20 apiece for second-placed Burnley, Charlie Austin 17 for play-offs prevailers Queens Park Rangers.
The recent pattern is in stark contrast to what happened before.
In 2012-13, Glen Murray, targeted by Albion for a return to the club on loan, plundered 30-goals as Crystal Palace reached the Premier League via the play-offs, defeating Gus Poyet's Seagulls in the semi-finals.
George Boyd top scored with only ten for Hull, who finished above Albion and Palace in second.
That is more than the leading marksman managed for title winners Cardiff. Peter Whttingham, Aron Gunnarsson and Heidar Helguson each scored eight goals for the Welshmen.
The secret of their success was spreading the goals around. Ex-Albion winger Craig Noone contributed seven, together with Fraizer Campbell.
In 2011-12, Albion's debut season at the Amex, Reading took the title in similar vein. Top scorer Adam Le Fondre with 12 was backed up by Noel Hunt (8), Simon Church (7) and Jason Roberts (6).
Ricky Lambert hit the target 27 times for runners-up Southampton, Ricardo Vaz Te scored 20 for play-off winners West Ham.
The Cardiff and Reading examples offer encouragement to Albion and Middlesbrough, neither of whom currently have in their ranks anyone prolific this season.
Bobby Zamora, now topping the chart for the Seagulls with seven, is averaging a useful one every three appearances, the majority of which have been from the bench.
Tomer Hemed, one behind Zamora, has scored only once since mid-September.
Others have chipped in. James Wilson's winner against Huddersfield at the Amex on Saturday was his third in 11 outings on loan from Manchester United.
Jamie Murphy, the fit-again Kazenga LuaLua and Solly March - ruled out for the rest of the season - have also each contributed three goals.
The defenders, on the other hand, have all been goal-shy so far after Lewis Dunk weighed in last season with five.
Middlesbrough are pursuing a £12 million move for Fulham sharpshooter Ross McCormack, joint second in the Championship goal chart on 15 goals with Abel Hernandez for new leaders Hull. Burnley's Andre Gray leads the way with 17.
Christian Stuani is Boro's top scorer at the moment with a meagre six, followed by Nugent on five.
Proven goalscorers do not come cheap. Hughton said: "Gray is the stand-out one and, from the teams that haven't been in that top six this season, McCormack.
"They are very hard to come by, The reason Gray is at Burnley is because Burnley were prepared to pay £7 million, or roundabout that figure, for him. That's the value because that's what he can give you.
"There are different ways. Some teams will be a little bit more of a working team and spread their goals around.
"Middlesborough are a bit but generally, if you are going to get that absolutely proven 20 goal a season striker in this division, he will cost you."
Original article
That is the question occupying supporters approaching the end of the transfer window.
The Seagulls are determined to sign another striker, either by the deadline on Monday evening or during the emergency loan transfer window which follows soon after and ends in March.
A proven goalscorer, whether it is Glenn Murray or somebody else, would undoubtedly improve the chances of Chris Hughton's team finishing in the top six, or preferably the top two.
It does not, however, mean you cannot be promoted automatically or via the play-offs without one. Other teams have done done it during the Amex era by spreading the goals around.
The last two seasons have highlighted the need for a 20 goals a season marksman, the previous two seasons less so.
Callum Wilson's 20 league goals played a leading part in Bournemouth being crowned champions in May.
Troy Deeney went one better for runners-up Watford, while Cameron Jerome scored 18 for play-off winners Norwich.
It was a similar story the year before, when Albion reached the play-offs under Oscar Garcia.
Champions Leicester had 20-goal David Nugent. Former Albion loan signing Sam Vokes and Danny Ings netted 20 apiece for second-placed Burnley, Charlie Austin 17 for play-offs prevailers Queens Park Rangers.
The recent pattern is in stark contrast to what happened before.
In 2012-13, Glen Murray, targeted by Albion for a return to the club on loan, plundered 30-goals as Crystal Palace reached the Premier League via the play-offs, defeating Gus Poyet's Seagulls in the semi-finals.
George Boyd top scored with only ten for Hull, who finished above Albion and Palace in second.
That is more than the leading marksman managed for title winners Cardiff. Peter Whttingham, Aron Gunnarsson and Heidar Helguson each scored eight goals for the Welshmen.
The secret of their success was spreading the goals around. Ex-Albion winger Craig Noone contributed seven, together with Fraizer Campbell.
In 2011-12, Albion's debut season at the Amex, Reading took the title in similar vein. Top scorer Adam Le Fondre with 12 was backed up by Noel Hunt (8), Simon Church (7) and Jason Roberts (6).
Ricky Lambert hit the target 27 times for runners-up Southampton, Ricardo Vaz Te scored 20 for play-off winners West Ham.
The Cardiff and Reading examples offer encouragement to Albion and Middlesbrough, neither of whom currently have in their ranks anyone prolific this season.
Bobby Zamora, now topping the chart for the Seagulls with seven, is averaging a useful one every three appearances, the majority of which have been from the bench.
Tomer Hemed, one behind Zamora, has scored only once since mid-September.
Others have chipped in. James Wilson's winner against Huddersfield at the Amex on Saturday was his third in 11 outings on loan from Manchester United.
Jamie Murphy, the fit-again Kazenga LuaLua and Solly March - ruled out for the rest of the season - have also each contributed three goals.
The defenders, on the other hand, have all been goal-shy so far after Lewis Dunk weighed in last season with five.
Middlesbrough are pursuing a £12 million move for Fulham sharpshooter Ross McCormack, joint second in the Championship goal chart on 15 goals with Abel Hernandez for new leaders Hull. Burnley's Andre Gray leads the way with 17.
Christian Stuani is Boro's top scorer at the moment with a meagre six, followed by Nugent on five.
Proven goalscorers do not come cheap. Hughton said: "Gray is the stand-out one and, from the teams that haven't been in that top six this season, McCormack.
"They are very hard to come by, The reason Gray is at Burnley is because Burnley were prepared to pay £7 million, or roundabout that figure, for him. That's the value because that's what he can give you.
"There are different ways. Some teams will be a little bit more of a working team and spread their goals around.
"Middlesborough are a bit but generally, if you are going to get that absolutely proven 20 goal a season striker in this division, he will cost you."
Original article