Albion have been applauded for their sound defence - by one of the stoppers who helped establish next opponents Stoke in the Premier League.

Danny Higginbotham is analysing Monday night's clash at the Amex for the PL's overseas broadcast company, Premier League Productions.

He will be watching teams divided by three points but sharply contrasting defensive records.

Chris Hughton's Albion have kept four clean sheets and conceded 11 goals in their opening 11 games in rising to eighth in the table.

Of the sides below them, only Newcastle have let in fewer (10).

Significantly, Huddersfield, the other promoted team, are also inside the top ten based on goals against (13).

Albion's defensive figures are even more impressive in terms of the six goals they have leaked from open play. Only Manchester United and Spurs have been tighter than that.

Stoke's injury-ravaged back three (as it has become this season under Mark Hughes) has been like a colander by comparison, a far cry from the stout rearguard in place when Higginbotham rejoined Stoke in their first season in the Premier League.

They are part of an elite list of clubs with Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham to have been continuously in the Premier League for the past decade.

The foundations for this longevity were laid by the solid defence Higginbotham bolstered under Tony Pulis.

The West Brom boss would be having kittens over the 22 goals Stoke have already surrendered this season. Only West Ham (23) have a more porous record.

Higginbotham (third from right below) told The Argus: "In general it's great the way Brighton have gone about things.

The Argus: "If you look at the the three teams promoted, they haven't changed a lot.

"A lot of teams when they opt to try to change a lot of things, including the way they play.

"In Brighton's last line-up the back four was the same as it was last season.

"Okay, the keeper is different, but you have still got seven of the starters who were part of the successful team that got promoted.

"When I went back to Stoke, Thomas (Sorensen) was new, but we still had Ryan (Shawcross), Andy Griffin, Andy Wilkinson, Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap, Ricardo Fuller.

"A lot of teams promoted think after getting to this level they have got to reinvent the team.

"Brighton, Huddersfield and Newcastle got promoted with players who understand how the manager wants to play and all three of them have been defensively strong. That is key.

"Defences keep you up. Middlesbrough broke that norm last season in terms of not conceding many but not scoring many.

"For us, in our first couple of years, more often than not at home if we scored a goal we would win the game.

"We had a ridiculous amount of clean sheets in those first two years.

"Anyone will tell you - and this is why I don't understand why managers don't take it as seriously as they should do - it is easier to defend than it is to score.

"I have seen it at times recently with Stoke. You can score two or three goals and not get any points, whereas if you keep a clean sheet you've got a point.

"It's seen as boring now but it's key to it as far as I'm concerned.

The Argus: "Brighton have done that. They've got four of the same back five and they've got Stephens (above) in there.

"The two central midfielders are key as well, because a lot of the time they just sit and protect. They know how they want to play."

Higginbotham is effusive in his appreciation of the way Hughton sets up the side and the manner in which they have continued to churn out results at the Amex against better quality opposition.

He said: "Simplicity is genius and at times Chris Hughton doesn't get the credit he deserves.

"I'm sure he does from the Brighton supporters but elsewhere I don't think he gets the credit.

"They obviously had the (promotion) heartbreak of a couple of years ago and then to kick on again has been brilliant.

"What they have done really well as well is they have lost only one of the five home games they have played.

"I thought the home form was going to be a problem for them, because it's too nice (the Amex).

"At Stoke it wasn't the nicest place to go. The changing rooms weren't great, the fans and things like that.

"Burnley have that as well. Brighton haven't but they've still managed to deal with that.

"At Stoke in our first year I don't think we won our first away game until February-March time.

"They are already ahead of the game. They've got a good blend of players and it all looks good for them."