Millwall boss Ian Holloway reckons Albion’s fall into the relegation places is “very shocking”.

But, as he prepares his side for action tonight, he insists the Seagulls’ loan signing of Darren Bent proves they still have ambition.

Holloway makes his first return to the Amex since masterminding Crystal Palace’s play-off win in May 2013.

Albion are now in the drop zone and Holloway said: “I really don’t know why they’re down there but they’ve had a couple of different managers and sometimes change can be destabilising.

“Clubs want to have the same blueprint and that’s what Swansea have done brilliantly. Small, subtle changes can be very difficult.

“But I haven’t really been looking at Brighton, I’ve got enough problems to solve of my own.

“They’ve got a different challenge to us because they have been in the play-offs and were unsuccessful in those and now where they find themselves is very shocking.

“That euphoria that they had, which came from the marvellous new stadium and the squad they were building, carries a weight of expectation.

“It’s been hard for them to follow through. But they’ve just been able to attract Darren Bent, who lots of clubs would want, so they’ve still got fantastic ambitions.”