Gus Poyet has blamed the FA Cup run for the recent slump in Albion 's Premier League form.

The former Seagulls boss was asked about his old club's plight when guesting on Sky's Monday Night Football coverage of Chelsea's draw against Burnley.

A five-match losing sequence without scoring accompanied Albion reaching the FA Cup semi-finals before Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wolves.

Poyet, asked if the dogged approach by Chris Hughton's team at Molineux will be the one to get them over the line, said: "I suppose so, especially the next game when they play away at Tottenham, which is a big game.

"I thought the big problem was to qualify for the semi-final. I know we can discuss which is better, which is not, if it's good for the morale of the team, how nice it is to play at Wembley.

"But at the back of the mind of every single player is Wembley against Man City was something very special.

"Maybe a few of them will never play at Wembley again and during those few weeks before and the week after it was really bad, the worst run of the season.

"And then you get in that position where nerves start to come.

"I think this point (Wolves) will relax the team a little bit and they will be fine."

Poyet believes Albion may not need another point to finish above Cardiff but sees Saturday's game against Newcastle at the Amex as key.

"I think Brighton will be looking at Newcastle at home," he said. "The problem is the last two results at home, the two losses against Cardiff and Bournemouth, which is a problem because you go back to the place where you know you haven't been scoring and the opposition has been scoring quite easily.

"But I think right now, with this point the other day, it will be enough if something doesn't go their way. If you look at Cardiff, anything can happen in those three games."