Seagulls can keep their heads above water

There is more chance of Brighton winning the title than expert punter Tony Bloom revealing his gambling secrets but Albion's coy chairman should be confident that his Premier League newcomers will do their talking on the pitch.

Bloom, nicknamed the Lizard because of his cold-blooded decision-making around the poker table and regarded as one of the world's most influential gamblers, is living the dream after financing his hometown club's rise back to the top flight following 34 years away.

Brighton had been knocking on the Premier League door for a while having finished in the Sky Bet Championship's top six in three of the four years before securing promotion with a second-placed finish last term under the astute management of Chris Hughton.

The Seagulls made a slow start to last season, winning only two of their first six league matches, possibly as a consequence of the 2015-16 hangover as Albion missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference before suffering more heartbreak in the playoffs.

However, an 18-match unbeaten run put Brighton bang in contention and five straight wins in April secured their top-flight return, although a sloppy finish when the focus had disappeared saw Newcastle snatch the title.

Skillful winger Anthony Knockaert, who was named the Championship player of the season, is the individual who can provide Albion with their match-winning moments but under steady Hughton the team framework is of paramount importance.

Brighton kept a divisional-high 21 clean sheets and protecting the well-drilled rearguard will be Hughton's plan after he revealed the Seagulls will switch to a 4-4-1-1 formation from last season's 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper David Stockdale's surprising decision to drop down a division and join Birmingham caused a headache but Australian international Mat Ryan has played at a high level for club and country, while versatile attacking midfielder Izzy Brown is highly-regarded by parent club Chelsea.

Brighton also went shopping in Germany, making two clever pick-ups in left-back Markus Suttner and central midfielder Pascal Gross from Ingolstadt.

The league table shows Ingolstadt were relegated from the Bundesliga but their position was false, at least on expected goal ratings, and it's that kind of analytical edge held by Bloom which allows Brighton to blossom.

It's likely to be tight, but Albion can survive.

Key stat
Brighton won 18 league games to nil last season.