The rarity of mid-table mediocrity for Albion has one benefit for manager Dean Wilkins.

It gives him an opportunity to experiment between now and the end of the season.

They may not be mathematically safe yet but, let's face it, the Seagulls are not going to be relegated.

A nine-point cushion with seven games to go is enough not to be worried about teams who have won only ten times all season.

Wilkins probably wants one more victory, just to be sure, and then he can give a chance to some of the fringe members of the first team squad.

Tommy Elphick is a good example. While other youngsters like Dean Cox, Sam Rents and Tommy Fraser have already made the breakthrough, he has been on the bench 15 times this season without getting a kick.

The 19-year-old centre-half's only first team appearance to date was as a substitute at Reading last season, a match remembered for a red card for his older brother Gary.

Will Tommy follow in his brother's footsteps - Gary now plays for St Albans - or can he bridge the gap from the youth and reserve teams to first team football?

Elphick is not alone. Nathan Elder has made a goalscoring impact in the reserves since his move from Billericay and has made several substitute appearances for the first team, with mixed results.

Can he cut it at first team level from the start? Can Doug Loft, now creeping back into contention, be effective in Wilkins' midfield diamond and can Alex Frutos rediscover the form that made him a Championship regular last season? There is only one way to find out.

Which Albion players would you like to see offered new deals?