The clubs chasing Albion are looking for any chink in their armour, any sign of uncertainty they can exploit.

Unfortunately for them, one upheaval has made no difference to their promotion momentum.

Five weeks ago, Chris Hughton's assistant and long-time associate Colin Calderwood left the Seagulls to take up the same position, albeit more lucrative and geographically convenient for the Northampton-based Scot, alongside Steve Bruce at Aston Villa.

Calderwood's departure coincided with a 1-1 draw against Villa at the Amex which halted a sequence of four straight wins and caused anxiety among supporters about the impact of the backroom disruption.

They need not have worried. The good ship Albion has continued to sail along merrily with Paul Trollope aboard.

Hughton turned to another aid familar to him. Trollope had been his coach at Birmingham and Norwich - and he was available after losing his job as Cardiff's manager.

 

Since Trollope stepped into Calderwood's shoes, Albion have beaten Fulham, drawn at Cardiff and reeled off a hat-trick of victories against Leeds, Blackburn and Birmingham.

The Christmas period culminates with rematches against Cardiff and Fulham, who Trollope helped to the Championship title as a player.

Albion head into the festive season barely noticing that Hughton's No.2 has changed.

Skipper Bruno told The Argus: "It's been so easy. Of course, it was a big miss for us losing Colin but Paul has settled so quickly.

"It's not just about his knowledge of football, it's his character as well. It was an easy transition and we are so pleased with that.

"I couldn't say there is a big difference between them. The knowledge, their characters, their confidence in themselves, it's quite similar.

"Of course, always there are small details. It wasn't easy for Paul to come into a group who were successful and already missing Colin (below right). I think he's doing a really good job."

The Argus: That closing assessment can also be applied to the bearded Spaniard leading Albion towards the promised land, although he is far too self-effacing to say so himself.

Bruno made his 70th Championship start in succession in the last-gasp 2-1 win at Birmingham which re-established an eight-point cushion over the pursuing pack, a remarkable achievement for a 36-year-old.

Ian Holloway's struggling Queens Park Rangers have failed to score in four out of five straight defeats.

Their chances of amending their goal shyness at the Amex on Tuesday must rank as flimsy against Albion's miserly defence, the best former Valencia right-back Bruno has played in?

"It could be," he said. "We are not conceding too many goals. We've already had 13 clean sheets, but when we are working really well in the defence it's not just about the back four, it's everyone helping, from Glenn (Murray) or Tomer (Hemed), Sam (Baldock), everyone gets involved with the pressure. If they don't do their jobs it's tougher for us as defenders.

"As a back four we feel really comfortable playing together and that's the most important thing. It's normally about the manager, how he wants to play, whether he wants the back four to defend high or if they have to drop. Part of that success is because of him."