David Rodriguez is having the season of his life – a year after failing to make the impact he wanted with Albion.

But, as he edges close to 20 league goals for the season, the Spanish striker has no regrets about trying his luck in England.

He reckons it helped in his success story this term in the second tier back home.

Rodriguez flitted in and out of the side and netted just once during half a season with the Seagulls but went into this weekend on 16 goals in the equivalent division in Spain.

He puts his success with Alcorcón, a tiny club in the Madrid suburbs, down to being played in his best role. Plus a few character-building months in England.

He said: “There are very strong teams in our division and we are a humble team so we have decided to combat them with what weapons we can.

“We press high up the pitch, play as high as we can, get a lot of crosses in. That’s fantastic for a striker.

“We play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. I’m the main striker and that is my preferred position.

“When I was at Brighton I spent a lot of time out wide because we had El Ciclon (leo Ulloa) up top and he had a fantastic year.

“I’m quite quick and it’s something I can do. But I never really felt like I had the full confidence of the coach.

“I had very little playing time and it was hard to adapt.

  • David Rodriguez is one of four ex-Albion players in the second-tier Liga Adelante in Spain. David Lopez is a regular for mid-table Lugo and Fran Sandaza has ten goals for promotion-chasing Girona but Gai Assulin has struggled with injury at Mallorca. Rodriguez said: “We beat Lugo 1-0 and I met up with David afterwards. I think we would be favourites to finish above them but he will tell you the opposite!”

“I didn’t speak the language very well, I came in January which is more difficult than arriving at a club in the summer for the whole pre-season.

“But the other players kept my spirits up, made sure I didn’t get down about it.”

The slightly-built Rodriguez scores most of his goals running on to balls over the top or tidying up goalmouth scrambles.

It is hard to envisage him as lone striker in English football, especially in a team where Ulloa was starring.

But he can understand why established top-flight compatriots Adrian Colunga, Oriol Riera and Javi Guerra have also lasted just half a season in the Championship.

He said: “With the experience I’ve gone through at Brighton, I think the main thing you need is the full confidence of the manager.

“I think it has been as hard for these three players as it was for me because they didn’t have that.

“They have all come back and played in our first division. Oriol scored two goals recently for Deportivo La Coruna.

“Aitor Karanka took Kike to Middlesbrough and he is playing quite well and has scored about eight goals. I think that confidence in you from the manager is the key.

“When I went there I had to decide in two days and I didn’t really have any idea about my future.

“I loved the club and the city, my partner liked it there. So in that respect it was not a hard time. I loved the supporters. They would stop and talk to you in the street, encourage you.

“The best memories I have are of my team mates – especially Andrea Orlandi, David Lopez, Leo, Calde and Bruno. We still talk almost every day.

“I remember how Gibbo (player liaison officer Steve Gibbon) treated me like his son. He was my dad in England!

“But I understand that when you arrive, you don’t adapt quickly and you don’t play much, you’re not going to get another contract.”

Rodriguez was won over by his coach at Alcorcón, one of the clubs owned by Charlton Athletic chief Roland Duchatelet, and signed a three-year deal.

But he retains fond memories of that one English goal - at Blackburn a year ago on Wednesday.

“I’d gone two games without playing and suddenly I was in the team playing on the right wing,” he said.

“I don’t know what will happen in the future but, whatever, I can say I’ve not only scored in Spanish football but in English football as well!

“I improved in England because when you are out of a team you have two choices – get down about it or try to be the best in training every day.

“I took the second option. That’s why I don’t regret going to Brighton. Not at all.”