Albion are in the mix for automatic promotion - because they know how to mix it up.

Skipper Gordon Greer believes that is the key to the Seagulls' unbeaten success in the Championship so far this season.

Greer is perfectly placed to assess the merits of Albion's challenge this time.

The Scot led Gus Poyet's side to the League One title in his first season after signing from Swindon in 2010-11.

He also captained the teams that reached the Championship play-offs under Poyet two years later and Oscar Garcia in 2013-14.

Poyet's and Oscar's sides were renowned for a continental, possession-based style.

The current squad under Hughton not only has different players for different positions but different types of players as well.

And that makes them more adaptable to the contrasting tests confronting them week in, week out.

Greer said: "For me the main difference is we can mix it up. We can play, we can go long and we've got different players in the team who can do different things at different times.

"I think that helps us. Even throughout the 90 minutes we can have ten or 15 minutes where we are doing something different.

"We've got different ways of playing at different times. If teams do certain things we'll do certain things."

Albion's flexibility was emphasised in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Burnley. Tomer Hemed was partnered up front by Bobby Zamora, a completely different type of player to Sam Baldock, the Israeli's customary accomplice.

Now James Wilson from Manchester United and Rajiv Van La Parra from Wolves have been added to the squad on loan as well.

Greer said: "I'm not criticising or bigging up anyone. The Championship in particular has got so many different styles of teams and I think we've got a good understanding when they do certain things we can mix it up and we've got the players to do that. I think we showed that at Burnley.

"Bobby came in. We've got different wingers and you can look throughout the squad, the manager has got different options in each position.

"If he wants certain things he plays certain people. We've got a good squad of players pushing each other all the time, which is great.

"That's what you need when you are in the team and likewise, when you are not in the team, you are training well because you want to get in.

"The boys get on well and hopefully we can keep it going."

Greer made his 200th league start for Albion sooner than he expected at Burnley after missing five-and-a-half matches with knee trouble.

He performed at Turf Moor as if he had never been away after replacing late withdrawal Uwe Huenemeier at the heart of the defence.

It was hard work by the end, even for somebody like Greer who prides himself on staying in tip-top condition.

The Glaswegian, approaching his 35th birthday, said: "I'm a fit guy. Nothing can prepare you for match fitness.

"You can do as much work with the physios as you like but match fitness comes with playing matches and it was great to get back out there."

Greer's return to action will be brief if he is booked against Birmingham tomorrow in his first appearance at the Alex since the 1-1 draw with Cardiff at the beginning of October.

He collected his fourth caution late-on at Burnley. A fifth before Monday's cut-off would rule him out of fifth-bottom Charlton's visit a week tomorrow.

Back-to-back home games against opponents at opposite ends of the table present Albion with an opportunity to consolidate their promotion credentials but Greer is taking nothing for granted.

Each of Albion's nine wins have been by a single goal margin, including hard-fought 2-1 victories at the Amex against Charlton's fellow strugglers Rotherham, Bristol City and MK Dons.

Greer said: "I say this a lot, in the Championship there is nothing really between top and bottom. Anyone on their day can cause an upset.

"We've seen that recently when teams have come to the Amex that are struggling and they've put in good performances.

"It's not easy to beat them. That just shows you how hard the league is."

All the more reason then to marvel at Albion's 17-match undefeated sequence, even if seven of the last ten have been draws.

"It's good going," said Greer. "If we are being ultra-critical we could say we want more wins but it just shows the spirit between the boys and the staff and the whole club really.

"We talk about 'Team Brighton' as a whole club and that's what it's like. We've got a great team spirit and it has showed, because we are tough to beat.

"It's looking good for us but it's all down to hard work and what we do on the training pitch."

And the flexibility to adapt to the wide range of challenges presented by the Championship.