Albion are about to embark on a vital stage of their promotion challenge.
A period which will determine where they are in the table at half-time in the Championship and which will also impact on their prospects of further strengthening the squad for the second half of the season.
Saturday's visit to Reading launches a sequence of nine matches up to Christmas for Chris Hughton's undefeated leaders. Seven of them are against sides currently in the top ten.
The third month of the campaign concludes at Reading, who are seventh after capitulating at Fulham.
In November Albion are also entertained by Sheffield Wednesday (ninth) and Burnley (third). The month finishes with a visit by Chris Hughton's former club Birmingham (sixth).
The pattern continues in December. Derby (fifth) and Queens Park Rangers (tenth) away, Middlesbrough (fourth) at the Amex.
The only respite - if there is such a thing in a division so competitive from first to 24th - is provided by home games against MK Dons (20th) and Charlton (22nd).
The difficulties just encountered in collecting four points against Bristol City and Preston emphasises those matches will not be easy either.
There are two ways of looking at the run of games looming. The first is to be fearful the wheels are about to fall off.
The second, and far more preferable outlook, is to regard it as an opportunity.
The season is far enough advanced now to have a better feel for clubs that will be contenders or also-rans.
There will be exceptions, teams surprisingly falling away or unexpectedly making up ground, but there is a strong chance a majority of those Albion are about to face will still be in the hunt once tinsel has been replaced by chocolate treats.
These matches, as a consequence, have extra significance attached to them. Win or draw and you not only increase your own tally, you are also taking points from a promotion rival.
Albion have confronted only two of the top eight so far, with encouraging results. They saw off Hull at the Amex and were unfortunate not to do likewise against Cardiff.
Injuries and suspensions will start to play more of a part but there is nothing to fear.
Every side below Albion, with the exception of draw specialists Derby, have already been beaten at least twice.
Now put yourself in the expensive boots of Jonathan Calleri, the Argentinian striker with Boca Juniors being pursued by Albion, or one of their other South American transfer targets.
Or, for that matter, any other player at home or particularly from abroad on the lists of possible signings.
The big carrot for them, and their advisers, is the Premier League.
Joining a club in January with a genuine chance of playing Manchester United in August would make a move to the Seagulls more attractive.
Albion are already equipped with the infrastructure for the top flight. Demonstrating they have a team equipped to take them there would elevate them to another level.
It would require a catastrophic run in the next nine matches to rule them out of serious reckoning.
They have already established a 12-point lead over Fulham, Brentford and Ipswich, all lurking just outside the top ten.
The real test over the next nine games is not just to be somewhere there or thereabouts, in contention for the play-offs with countless others, but to stay where they are now.
Still being top of the tree at Christmas could make such a difference.
Original article
A period which will determine where they are in the table at half-time in the Championship and which will also impact on their prospects of further strengthening the squad for the second half of the season.
Saturday's visit to Reading launches a sequence of nine matches up to Christmas for Chris Hughton's undefeated leaders. Seven of them are against sides currently in the top ten.
The third month of the campaign concludes at Reading, who are seventh after capitulating at Fulham.
In November Albion are also entertained by Sheffield Wednesday (ninth) and Burnley (third). The month finishes with a visit by Chris Hughton's former club Birmingham (sixth).
The pattern continues in December. Derby (fifth) and Queens Park Rangers (tenth) away, Middlesbrough (fourth) at the Amex.
The only respite - if there is such a thing in a division so competitive from first to 24th - is provided by home games against MK Dons (20th) and Charlton (22nd).
The difficulties just encountered in collecting four points against Bristol City and Preston emphasises those matches will not be easy either.
There are two ways of looking at the run of games looming. The first is to be fearful the wheels are about to fall off.
The second, and far more preferable outlook, is to regard it as an opportunity.
The season is far enough advanced now to have a better feel for clubs that will be contenders or also-rans.
There will be exceptions, teams surprisingly falling away or unexpectedly making up ground, but there is a strong chance a majority of those Albion are about to face will still be in the hunt once tinsel has been replaced by chocolate treats.
These matches, as a consequence, have extra significance attached to them. Win or draw and you not only increase your own tally, you are also taking points from a promotion rival.
Albion have confronted only two of the top eight so far, with encouraging results. They saw off Hull at the Amex and were unfortunate not to do likewise against Cardiff.
Injuries and suspensions will start to play more of a part but there is nothing to fear.
Every side below Albion, with the exception of draw specialists Derby, have already been beaten at least twice.
Now put yourself in the expensive boots of Jonathan Calleri, the Argentinian striker with Boca Juniors being pursued by Albion, or one of their other South American transfer targets.
Or, for that matter, any other player at home or particularly from abroad on the lists of possible signings.
The big carrot for them, and their advisers, is the Premier League.
Joining a club in January with a genuine chance of playing Manchester United in August would make a move to the Seagulls more attractive.
Albion are already equipped with the infrastructure for the top flight. Demonstrating they have a team equipped to take them there would elevate them to another level.
It would require a catastrophic run in the next nine matches to rule them out of serious reckoning.
They have already established a 12-point lead over Fulham, Brentford and Ipswich, all lurking just outside the top ten.
The real test over the next nine games is not just to be somewhere there or thereabouts, in contention for the play-offs with countless others, but to stay where they are now.
Still being top of the tree at Christmas could make such a difference.
Original article