Albion No.1 David Stockdale has shrugged off criticism of his performances after a crucial penalty save.

Stockdale’s spot-kick stop from Paul Caddis on the stroke of half-time saved the Seagulls from going 2-1 down against Birmingham at the Amex. They went on to ease their Championship relegation worries with a 4-3 win, leaving Stockdale the hero following widespread scrutiny of his patchy form since a £1 million summer move from Fulham.

He told The Argus: “It’s been up and down. I can go through every goalkeeper in every league and they’ve made mistakes. If we were at the top of the league I don’t think I’d have been getting as many pelters but that’s life. I’m a big enough fella and I’m honest.

“I’m not too worried about other people’s opinions. There’s about three people I need to worry about, the goalkeeping coach, manager and chief executive or chairman.

“I stay the same, whether I play well or badly. You have ups and downs in life and I’ve been at the bottom.”

There were calls for Stockdale to be axed and replaced by England under-20s keeper Christian Walton after a mistake in the previous home game gifted Nottingham Forest an equaliser.

Boss Chris Hughton kept faith with the Yorkshireman and he responded with consecutive clean sheets at Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday, where he also made some vital saves.

Stockdale admitted: “You fear losing your place at any point, especially when you have got a good goalkeeper behind you.

“That’s why you are always on your toes. Some people say you get comfortable in the position.

“I’m not comfortable. I try to improve every day in training. Hopefully that’s what I am doing.

“You are always going to have people that don’t like you, have their own opinions. I’m usually the one standing there saying ‘I’ve made a mistake or I’ve not’.

“I can only be honest with myself and as long as I stay honest with myself I am not going to get drawn into people concluding I’m not very good.”