Albion have set out to be more proactive in terms of pressing teams this season.

And the numbers available so far suggest they are carrying out the plan to a tee.

After three games, they led the Premier League in tackles and interceptions made.

They had also committed more fouls than any other team.

That has changed a bit after the 2-2 draw with Fulham. But only a bit.

They have slipped to third place for tackles made – 84, just behind Tottenham and Huddersfield.

That’s an average of 20.5 per match.

They have still come up with most interceptions with 18.5 per match, a little way clear of closest rivals Watford (16.3).

And they have committed most fouls which, of course, is not so good but perhaps reflects the way they are looking to play.

The Seagulls have fouled 58 times (14.5 per match), with Newcastle (56, or 14 per match) their closest pursuers.

Wasn’t it ever thus? Well, not exactly, no.

Last season, Albion ranked down in 16th place for tackles made (15.7 per match). They were tenth for interceptions (11.9 per match).

And they were better behaved with 10.9 fouls per match (five teams committed more).

So the figures as far as they go are pretty clear. So far this season, and with largely the same personnel, Albion are getting in five more tackles and seven more interceptions per game.

But then maybe they would. Because their first four fixtures have seen them play three of the teams in the top five for possession share (Manchester United, Liverpool and Fulham).

They have met two of the three teams with 100% records.

But look more closely. Against Manchester United recently, Albion put in 28 tackles, led by seven from Davy Propper.

Dale Stephens made four, as did Leon Balogun in his more limited playing time. And so did fired-up winger Anthony Knockaert.

In the previous home game – also versus Manchester United, last season – they made 19 tackles, led by five each by Bruno and, again, Propper.

When Albion lost at Anfield recently, they totalled 21 tackles (five by Stephens) and a whopping 29 interceptions (led by the energetic Yves Bissouma, with seven).

At the same venue in the final game of last season, the Seagulls probably spent more time defending but made 19 tackles and just nine interceptions.

Of course, no two games are the same. Albion had done their serious work when they arrived on Merseyside last May, not so this season.

With the greatest will in the world, that can make a difference.

“Last season it was the last game and we were safe,” said playmaker Pascal Gross. “That’s not an excuse but it’s different.”

But it’s not just numbers. All they do is underline what we can see with our own eyes.

And what Bruno told us in a back-page exclusive when The Argus revealed ahead of the new season that Albion had worked harder than ever this summer to enable them to step up their intensity without the ball.

Stephens said: “We play a better game when we play with more energy and a higher press.”

The numbers say there is a difference. Now for it to really pay off.