BOSS Chris Hughton believes Albion’s promotion agony can help save them from the drop.

He reckons the experience of being pipped in the Championship two seasons ago will play a part in the fight for Premier League safety as the Seagulls head into a key home game today against injury-hit West Ham.

Hughton said: “What we have here is a team that went through a huge disappointment.

“We have got good experience, Glenn Murray, Leo (Ulloa) who was here, Bruno, Steve Sidwell who although he hasn’t featured is still an important part of the squad, Liam Rosenior.

“I think we’ve got that nice balance between experience and youthfulness.

“And sometimes that youthfulness, they don’t feel the pressure as much as others. So I feel we have a decent combination and we can cope with it.”

Hughton is also confident his players will deal with the extra pressure in six-pointers such as the clash against the Hammers.

He said: “There is of course pressure on each team and as each week goes by and the games become less and less, there becomes more pressure.

“What is important is to stick to the way that you want to play and the belief that the players have. This being our first season in the division, I think as a team they have got big confidence from the way they have conducted themselves in games.

“Apart from a couple of obvious ones like Chelsea (4-0 home defeat) we have given a decent account of ourselves. So we haven’t had too many bad days training, there has generally been a good feel around the place.

“And we just have to continue that and that is what will take us into these last few games and help us get the results we need.”

Albion are seeking their first double of the season after beating West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium in October.

The Hammers dropped into the relegation zone under Slaven Bilic with that defeat but have climbed to 12th since David Moyes took charge.

Hughton said: “When we played West Ham away from home they were going through a difficult period.

“And what you have now is a manager who has turned things around and has to deal with some of the injury problems they have had.

“They have coped with it very well. Even playing two players up front who are not naturally up front players they have got some good results. So I think David has got an awful lot of experience in adjusting to what he has got.”