Brighton news: Opinion – Can Seagulls find their ‘highest level’?

Nothing quite says bouncing back from a record 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest like knocking newfound rivals Chelsea out of the FA Cup and hitting them for three league goals within six days.

It felt like a sign that money can’t buy class, as Albion came out as shrewd grinners after a trajectory-changing week for Fabian Hurzeler.

Hurzeler came under much scrutiny across the fanbase after the Forest result. Questions over the identity during games seemingly became rhetorical during the poor run of form.

The trouble with success and spending is that it brings rightful expectations from Albion fans. Football under previous managers was faultless at times – dominating teams most weeks, even when results were not going the right way.

The difference this season has been exactly that. While results have been there, often performances haven’t. More so if we stand by the idea that this Brighton squad, especially going forward, is the best it ever has been.

Are we back on the right path? The proof will be in the signs that the past is the past against lowly Southampton. So often, the fanbase has been negative when approaching sides in the bottom six of the Premier League, with the team throwing away silly 2-0 leads like no tomorrow. We saw history repeat itself against Wolves and Leicester. Arch rivals Crystal Palace and the rejuvenated Everton also took three points at the Amex earlier in the season.

The jury is still out on this one as we’d like to see this squad performing at the highest level, signs of cracks and naivety still need to be plastered.

Hurzeler is only 31-years-old. Who’d have known? This team is a very young one, and with that comes a need for time and patience towards accepting that reality. With big upcoming games against lower-position teams, it really is the little things that matter most.

Find more from Ryan Adsett at Talk Seagulls