Gus Poyet has revealed how he picked out Albion as the ideal club for his footballing philosophy.

When the Seagulls made Poyet their first continental manager back in November it was as much a case of the chatty Uruguayan choosing them as them selecting him.

Their faith in each other is now bearing fruit, with Albion passing their way up the table and Poyet’s style of play winning over sceptical supporters.

Poyet was determined his first management post would be with a club and players capable of adhering to his principles.

He said: “When you have got the ball you are not defending, when you pass the ball you really upset the opposition.

“When you create chances and use your ability, you start getting confident during the game and you become better and better.

“There are plenty of things like that which I have always believed in but I really try to adapt to the place I am at.

“It wasn’t a problem here because of the players we’ve got. That was one of the main points when I got the job.

“I checked on plenty of things beforehand. I checked on the players and talked to people who knew the place well and I knew, in terms of quality, there was the possibility of playing football here. That was one of the main reasons I applied for the job.

“People probably think I only checked about the stadium but I didn’t. It wasn’t only that, because I signed for only a year-and-a-half, which finishes before the stadium is ready.

“The main point was the players we had, the way it was possible to play, the challenge of starting my first six or seven games against the top six. That is me.”

It has, of course, not been all plain sailing, far from it. Poyet will ultimately be a better manager for a tough baptism.

An eye-catching opening victory away to tomorrow night’s visitors, Southampton, was followed by five defeats out of six and a dull draw at home to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day. Then came the sea change.

Poyet said: “The turning point for me was Wycombe away. We played well, we deserved the win, we scored five goals away from home and we came into 2010 with a different mentality of accepting and believing the best way for us to play was this way.

“The problem was for the first month-and-a-half of 2010 we were playing well, maybe deserving to win, but not getting the three points.

“So there was a moment I imagine, not here between us and the players but outside the club, that people were thinking ‘it’s not working’, because at the end of the day you need to win games.

“We reviewed the games and the way we were doing things. We went back two or three games to analyse the way we played, the players we had on the pitch, and we came to the conclusion that it was the right way.

“During that review maybe we had a doubt and there could have been a change but, fortunately, we were convinced there shouldn’t be.

“We kept pushing the players, kept believing this was the best way for us, and as soon as we went through that big part of the season against Leeds, Charlton and company that was confirmation that this is the best way for us to play football.

“The best way because of the players, not only because of the manager. I like this way but sometimes you need to adapt to the players you’ve got.

“I think with the players we have got here the best way for them to perform is by playing football.”

Albion did that, to the delight of the Withdean faithful, in Saturday’s 3-0 home win against Tranmere.

Poyet’s passing philosophy has tested the patience of supporters at times. There were plenty of doubters when results were going badly, especially at home, and particularly after the late collapse last month against leaders Norwich.

He has gradually managed to educate the crowd. There are fewer frustrated cries now of ‘get it forward’.

Poyet said: “When you go to a new club and try to change things you expect that. I knew it from the first day.

“We didn’t change on the first day, it was progressive, and that progression, especially in games on TV and very important games away from home, became a clear view of the way the team was playing.

“It was difficult at Withdean. As soon as we pass it three or four times then the fans behind me want us to play it forward but, if we make that extra pass and it finishes with a goal, a shot, an opportunity or a corner or pressure, then I think everybody goes ‘okay, it’s good and it works’. The other day (against Tranmere) with the first goal we probably passed the ball eight or ten times.

“There are going to be days when the opposition really press and make it difficult and are physical and we are going to have to change. We have got that option as well.

“Everything depends on how you believe, how strong you are mentally and how the opposition plays.”

Albion have thrived since Poyet adopted a 4-5-1 system, with Glenn Murray operating as the lone spearheaded.

It has continued to work, even with Kazenga LuaLua sidelined. The players are comfortable with it but also flexible enough to react if things are not going according to plan.

Poyet said: “People were thinking we were going to play this system while we had LuaLua. We lost Kaz and we have kept playing this system with Seb (Carole) and it is working as well.

“We have got plenty of options. We can change it any time. The team doesn’t need me to even say it and that is something I am very pleased with, because I hope for next year it is going to work automatically.”