Will Hoskins has backed Albion to match the fans' high expectations ahead of his full home debut against West Ham tomorrow night.

The Seagulls have slipped to 12th in the Championship after their flying start but could rise back above West Ham into fourth with victory in front of a sell-out crowd at The Amex.

Fit-again Hoskins told The Argus: "I think the way we did at the start of the season maybe the fans thought we could crack on.

"That's all expected. A lot of money has been put into the club and I think the fans only expect probably what we expect and when it doesn't go right they have every right to be on our backs.

"But they need to know we are hurting as well. We want to be exactly where they want us to be, so I think as a group we can hopefully get as far as we can.

"It's a long season. I know we've had a bit of a slip but we can carry on doing well.

"If we had won the other night (at Millwall) we would have been second. That's not bad. It just shows you anyone on their day can beat anyone.

"It's a tough league. As long as we stay there or thereabouts I think we'll do well this year."

Albion are expected to be without Spanish playmaker Vicente because of the thigh injury which ruled him out at Millwall last week.

* See tomorrow's Argus for a five-page preview of Hammers' visit, including an in-depth interview with Hoskins, profile on Sam Allardyce and Gus Poyet on Albion's progress.