Albion chairman Tony Bloom has wasted no time addressing the club's problems on his return from Australia.

He had only been back in the country for hours before meeting and sacking head of football operations David Burke.

The fine work by Burke in securing category one academy status for the training complex at Lancing could not compensate for the club's disastrous summer player recruitment.

A far inferior squad compared to those Oscar Garcia and Gus Poyet had to work with in securing top six finishes for the Seagulls has contributed to the struggle so far this season under Sami Hyypia, who quit on Monday.

There was also no rapport between Oscar and Burke during the Spaniard's successful season in charge.

Bloom should have acted sooner but the decisive step he has taken now, after abandoning his annual winter migration in response to Hyypia's departure, offers hope he is getting to grips with Albion's shortcomings.

A shrewd appointment to succeed Hyypia - combined with good business in January by the new manager, promoted recruitment chief Paul Winstanley and Bloom - could be a turning point in Albion's season.