Albion manager Mark McGhee has told the old guard: "Stop feeling sorry for yourselves."

Half of the team embarrassingly beaten in the FA Cup at Lincoln last Saturday are playing under their fifth different manager in two years.

Micky Adams, Peter Taylor, Martin Hinshelwood and Steve Coppell have all occupied the hotseat during that time.

McGhee sympathises with the disruption caused by all the chopping and changing but says the players should be reassured by his pledge to provide stability.

The Scot vowed when he was appointed at the end of last month to see out his contract through to June 2005.

"I hope they realise there should be a little bit of continuity now if I'm prepared to stay a little bit longer than the previous incumbents," said McGhee.

"I do have sympathy for them, but we have got to put that behind us.

"They cannot feel sorry for themselves. They have got to put it behind them and get on with their work."

Former Albion captain Danny Wilson brings Bristol City to Withdean on Saturday as Albion bid to bounce back from four defeats out of six.

The Seagulls wanted Wilson as their manager 16 months ago, prior to Hinshelwood's appointment, but Bristol rejected an official approach.

McGhee, who watched City in the FA Cup at Bradford Park Avenue on Sunday, said: "I don't know Danny terribly well, but I have played against his teams when he was at Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, so I know his style.

"Even when they were 5-2 up on Sunday he was jumping up and down, chastising his defenders for slack play and stuff like that.

"He will be looking forward to coming here. They see a team just above them and knowing they can catch us.

"We have got to try and put some distance between us and them by beating them, so it's an important game for both teams.

"They will be a difficult side for us to play against. They have a mixture of football, power and pace, so it will be a good test for us.

"I don't think anything we see on Saturday will surprise us. Maybe if we play as well as we can and beat them that will be a surprise."

City have agreed a compensation package with Fulham, including a fee totalling £55,000, for the transfer of Liam Rosenior.

The 19-year-old utility player is the son of Torquay's head coach Leroy Rosenior, who was shortlisted by Albion for the manager's job.