Sam Baldock has revealed the half-time message which kept Albion on top against Derby.

Baldock’s goal sent the Seagulls into a 2-0 half-time lead in last night’s Championship clash.

Derby made two half-time substitutions, switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 and were determined to stage a comeback attacking towards their fans.

But Albion maintained the stranglehold and added a third goal through Glenn Murray.

Baldock, whose calm finish added to Anthony Knockaert’s early opener, said the half-time message went beyond containing in the second half.

Albion were encouraged to get on the front foot rather than sit back and invite pressure.

Baldock said: “We wanted to win the second half.

“We wanted to continue the way we had been playing. We didn’t want to drop off and become vulnerable.

“We wanted to kick on and win that half as well.”

Albion have won twice in the past week and Baldock is pleased with how they have responded to their 3-0 reverse at Nottingham Forest.

He said: “Forest was a setback. It might have been a hangover from the Newcastle game.

“It was gutting. They were two tough defeats to take.

“But we had an opportunity to get straight back to winning ways.

“Rotherham was 2-0 and could have been a lot more.

“Then 3-0 against Derby but it could have been a lot more.”