Chris Hughton is consumed by the system Albion should play in their quest for Premier League safety.

But he does not believe a change in formation can be attributed to the slump in form which has his team looking over their shoulders.

Hughton switched in December from his tried and trusted 4-4-1-1 to 4-3-3.

Over the Christmas and the New Year, Albion drew with Arsenal, beat Everton (below) and were 2-0 up at West Ham before drawing.

The Argus: They also launched their FA Cup run through to Saturday's fifth round tie at home to Derby by winning at Bournemouth, but one point from the last 15 has left them only three points above the relegation zone.

Hughton told The Argus: "I think about it (system) all the time and even though we've gone through a run of 4-3-3 it's not one that is ingrained on my mind now that that's the way we are going to play.

"Ultimately, if I look at some of the goals we've conceded, they're very much not down to a system that we've played and arguably in a 4-3-3 we've probably created more chances than we had in the other system.

"It's one I think about all the time but I don't think it's about systems.

"We went through a period where our level of performance wasn't so good and it coincided with a few defeats. We just felt that we needed to get a little bit more control of the ball.

"Sometimes that different system, particularly a three in midfield, certainly allows you to have that."

Pascal Gross's role has changed from No.10 to one of the midfield three. The German has still been involved in most of Albion's best attacking moments in matches but has not had the same influential impact after injury that he had last season.

Hughton used record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh (below) in the number ten position in Albion's FA Cup fourth round replay victory after extra-time at West Brom.

The Argus: He insists confidence levels in the camp have not been badly affected by the recent downturn in results, because performances have generally been reasonable.

He said: "There will be a frustration and disappointment, because in such a short period of time the dynamics have changed a little bit.

"In general most people felt we were quite comfortable but we never, ever felt that way.

"We were seven points clear of the relegation zone and in such a short period of time that changes.

"The confidence I still feel in the camp is because the level of performance hasn't been that bad.

"Against Watford (0-0), the big criticism is we didn't win the game. We had numerous chances and the last two home games (Watford and Burnley) we've had an opposition goalkeeper that on both occasions has been man of the match.

"We are doing some things right and they're the things you latch on to. I don't feel a lack of confidence. A frustration, yes. A disappointment, yes. But we have to use that going forward."

Irrespective of whether Albion progress or not to the quarter-finals for the second year in succession, they will prepare for their next league game at Leicester on February 26 with a warm weather training camp abroad at an undisclosed destination.

"Yes, we will go away," Hughton confirmed. "I'm not prepared to tell where! I'm not even sure if it's warmer than here at the moment.

"We don't play next Saturday, so we have that extra time. It keeps everyone together. It's bonding in some way.

"We won't particularly be doing team bonding stuff or anything, I think it's just a really good opportunity for us to get away for what we hope is a bit better weather and an opportunity to have three or four good days of work.

"We have a wonderful training facility and it's a joy to come in here (Lancing training complex) every day, but I think that's something to do with it as well.

"What we have on a day to basis here and at every single club is a group of players that will train, have lunch, either train in the afternoon or not and then they are on their way.

"What this enables us to do is have everybody together. It allows us to have a few meetings in that period of time.

"There are so many circumstances of teams that have done it, have benefited from it and seen it in results."