Brazen Barnsley fans used to chant "It's just like watching Brazil" but this season Brighton and Hove Albion followers could be crowing: "It's just like watching Argentina."

In a daring move, the club's new kit, which goes on sale today, features significantly paler blue stripes than those of years gone by.

Yet the Seagulls have been warned they could end up performing more like under-achievers Coventry or Man City than Maradona and co.

Michael Grevis, chairman of the Inter- national Association of Colour, a professional organisation for colour therapy practitioners, fears Albion could struggle to intimidate teams as they line up in their faded blue outfits, reminiscent more of New Age healing than domineering athleticism.

He said: "As colours become paler, so they have less impact. When colours are strong and bold they really shout their wares. Dark blue signifies stability - it is associated with police forces or secure banks. Pale blue is to do with being peaceful."

Most alarming, however, is what Michael suggests Albion do to increase their chances of success: Add a dash of red.

Tottenham fans were outraged last year when a red logo - reminiscent of arch-rivals Arsenal - was added to their traditional white shirts. But if a few Albion fans are disgruntled about the new lighter shade, there could be riots down Queen's Road if the club were to copy hated Crystal Palace by going red and blue.

Michael, however, has been struck by the fact teams wearing red tend to perform better than their blue-shirted counterparts.

Arsenal and Spurs, Liverpool and Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City - in each of these rivalries, it is those in red shirts who boast the most trophies.

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong carried out a study which suggested team members could pick each other out more easily because the human eye is highly tuned to identify red.

They based this on studies of African monkeys which found that colour vision was highly sensitive to red on green.

Contradicting Michael's predictions, the last time the club opted for light blue stripes, in the Fifties, they won promotion to the old Second Division for the first time.

Supporters' club chairman and Albion historian Tim Carder said: "Opinions about the new shirts have been divided but hopefully the Fifties example will be a good omen."

A club spokesman said: "We just wanted to do something a bit different while keeping the historical stripes and white shorts. The feedback has been really positive."