Albion's visit to Fulham tonight launches what Dale Stephens has described as a "massive period" in their quest to achieve Premier League safety sooner rather than later.

The Seagulls face six of the seven sides below them in their next eight matches, beginning with the team one place off the bottom and 12 points adrift of them.

After coming through a difficult run of fixtures largely unscathed, Stephens knows the next sequence will define whether Albion have a relatively relaxed or anxious conclusion to their second year back in the top flight.

The midfield general said: "It's going to be a massive period for us. Our form has generally been good and especially with the fixtures coming up, against teams in and around us, it's a very important couple of weeks.

"With good results we know we can put (more) space between us and the bottom. That's got to be our main focus.

"It speaks for itself. If you can beat the teams below you, you are going to stand a better chance of staying in the division.

"We might be so many points better off than they (Fulham) are but we need the three points just as much as anybody else.

"We know we are nowhere finished what we want to do this season. The quicker we can get to 40 points and the safety mark the goalposts might change but we've got three points to play for and we are very much looking forward to it."

A Premier League visit to Craven Cottage was a long way off for Stephens 12 years ago. Fulham were in the top flight while he was on loan to non-League Droylsden from Bury, playing in the fifth tier.

The Argus: The 29-year-old Lancastrian has worked his way up the divisions via Oldham, Rochdale, Southampton (on loan), Charlton (above right) and the Seagulls, who secured his services five years ago tomorrow. This evening he makes his 53rd start for Albion in the Premier League.

"I think any time I have stepped up into a division is by promotion and the way this came around was the same route," he said.

"It's something I've been proud of. When you step up again you've got to prove yourself again and it's something I quite enjoy.

"Eighteen months into my Premier League career I'm enjoying every minute of it. We've improved already on what we did last year to this part of the season.

"If you look at the top six home and away, we have come closer against those teams. It's all about improving as individuals and as a team."

Stephens' regular central role in the engine room has been slightly revised since Chris Hughton reverted from his customary 4-4-1-1 system to 4-3-3, Pascal Gross dropping deeper to form a midfield trio which also incorporates Davy Propper (below), backed up by Yves Bissouma and Beram Kayal.

The Argus: Opportunities for Stephens to get on the scoresheet are few and far between, although he came closest to breaking the deadlock in Saturday's 0-0 FA Cup draw at home to West Brom with a shot tipped onto the post by keeper Jonathan Bond prior to Propper replacing him.

"The overall feeling from the weekend is disappointment," Stephens said. "I think we had 26 opportunities, had a lot of the ball, and we were disappointed we couldn't do more with it.

"My role has probably changed slightly in terms of the shape we are playing at the moment.

"I'm the deeper one of the three in midfield and your chances of getting into the box are very limited.

"But I do try. I had a chance at the weekend. It's probably not my main focus going into a game and I'm happy to do that (job).

"The ultimate aim is to pick up three points and I'll do everything in my power to do that."

Stephens broke his Premier League duck on Albion's last trip to the capital at the beginning of the month.

They uncharacteristically surrendered a commanding lead at West Ham to blemish an otherwise satisfactory return of five points from as many matches, including a win and draw at home to Everton and Arsenal, followed by narrow defeats by Liverpool and Manchester United.

"We missed a trick there," Stephens admitted. "Not too many teams go to West Ham and go 2-0 up. That's been part of our make up really. Once we go ahead we generally manage to see it out.

"Looking back, that was probably the biggest disappointment throughout a tough period. But we've got tough games coming up. I would argue these games coming up are more important."

Beginning with Fulham. They have struggled despite spending more than £100 million since promotion via the play-offs last season and replacing the adventurous Slavisa Jokanovic in November with the more practical Claudio Ranieri.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised," Stephens said. "It's a tough division. Clubs have different views and the way they go about it.

"They've opted to spend a lot of money. I think it goes to show the pressure that it brings along.

"We are going to look after ourselves. It's going to be a tough game. We've known the Fulham side for the last few years. They are a good, footballing team."