It may only be September, but as far as I am concerned Brighton are already in a relegation battle.

Albion slumped to their seventh successive defeat on Tuesday at home to Stoke, and if the players and fans didn't already realise it, now is the time to start fighting for every single point available.

Albion seem to have lost the art of grinding out the odd result against the run of play. There's nothing wrong with picking up a point away from home or even at the Withdean.

Looking back, that draw at home to Coventry was a good result.

Unfortunately Brighton seem to have adopted a boom or bust policy which has resulted in two 4-2 defeats already this term.

The Seagulls must stop losing it is as simple as that. A run of draws interspersed with the odd win would do wonders for the morale of the players and fans.

The supporters have been spoilt in recent years with two consecutive championships but Division One is a new level of football and the lads must consolidate.

I've said all along that fourth from bottom would be a decent achievement for Albion.

Considering Brighton's form and the catastrophic injury problems that have afflicted Martin Hinshelwood's side I would yank someone's hand off if they offered me that position right now.

They have been missing Bobby Zamora for the last seven matches and injuries to Paul Kitson, Michel Kuipers and Graham Barrett's suspension have decimated the team.

It is going to be difficult for Brighton until they get everybody fit.

However the injuries have presented fringe players like Steve Melton and Danny Marney with fabulous opportunities to establish themselves as professional footballers in the First Division.

Melton could be the attacking midfielder Albion have missed since Junior Lewis left the club and Marney has the skills and pace to trouble defences.

How Hinsh must wish some of the youngsters he nurtured will come good for him now he is charge of the first team.

The man certainly needs some good fortune after a wretched run of injuries and suspensions.

The pressure is mounting on him and the longer his side's losing run continues, the more likely the chance he will get the sack.

Dick Knight is not known for his patience with managers and time is running out for Hinsh. He needs to impose himself on his squad to stamp out the indiscipline that has resulted in 21 yellow cards and two reds already this term.

The players have gone on record saying how pleased they were to have him as boss. If they want him to continue they had better start playing for every point very quickly.

I have been saying the Spanish Primera Liga is the best in the world for seven years but perhaps other people will finally start believing me.

Not only has Ronaldo swapped Italy for Spain by moving from Inter Milan to Real Madrid but a host of other top stars such as Gaizka Mendieta and Demetrio Albertini have also followed suit and I believe it highlights the shifting balance of power in European football.

I have been covering Spanish football for Sky for seven years and find it wonderful entertainment and technically sound.

I think this will be borne out in the Champions League where Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia are all looking good.

Valencia were worthy winners over Liverpool and Real Madrid, the holders, totally outclassed the Italian side Roma.

Spanish football may be great to watch but it is not a great spectator sport in the dark. After watching the Real Betis against Real Madrid game though, I don't think their electricians are the most competent bunch.

The lights flickered repeatedly before going out two minutes before half-time and the match was abandoned.

It was a case of put another 50p or a few euros in the meter. I know the Betis fans were particularly disappointed because they were winning 1-0 at the time. I think the involvement of any betting syndicates from the Far East can be ruled out, I just blame the Spanish electricians.

The disgraceful actions of a few idiots have highlighted the need for better policing and stewarding at football grounds.

I would hate to see a return to the fences at football grounds that used to exist when I was a player so something has to done before a professional footballer gets seriously injured.

Covering the Watford v Luton cup game for Sky last week one home fan got a serious kicking from a marauding Luton fan and the scary thing was the lack of police or stewards.

Last weekend it was trouble at the Birmingham against Aston Villa match that caught the headlines when a fan ran on to the pitch and started goading Peter Enckelman following his howler.

I welcome the decision of the clubs to ban all fans caught up in this sort of thing for life but the authorities need to get a grip too.

I have always thought the problem isn't a football one but rather a symptom of society. Nevertheless, the more it affects our game, the quicker it has to be eradicated from football for fear of tarnishing the sport.