Albion boss Graham Potter has declared: “I still believe in these players.”

But the Seagulls’ head coach has admitted he faces a “torturous” 11 days between fixtures after Albion slipped close to the drop zone.

Albion’s 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth wrapped up another dry January in the Premier League.

The club have not won in 12 games during the first month of the year since winning promotion to the top tier in 2017.

The transfer window will have closed by the time they are next in action at West Ham on February 1.

Potter has been consistent in his message that he is comfortable with his current squad and keen to help them improve.

However a winless month has left them precariously poised while rivals including Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Watford and Norwich have picked up precious victories.

Asked whether his thoughts had changed in terms of the need for some mid-winter recruitment, Potter told the Argus: “I believe in the players 100%. I believe in the group.

“But clearly we have to be better because we have lost a game.

“I keep going back to it - the first 30 or 35 minutes was really good.

“Then the scoreline switched and we have to take that and understand it and not necessarily panic so much.

“But, at the same time, understand we need to stick together and do better.”

The clamour for new blood will increase after disappointing results in six-pointers versus Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

Potter added: “An easy answer would be that it would be nice to get a Premier League solution out there.

“I don’t think it is as easy as that but of course, if there is somebody out there to help us, we should be doing that.

“I think that is what every club would say.”

Aaron Mooy, currently on loan from Huddersfield, is reported to be close to completing a permanent transfer for a fee thought to be £5 million.

The Argus understand, as of yesterday, no deal has been signed off but the Australian international is still expected to remain an Albion player when his season-long loan either expires or is cut short.

Alexis Mac Allister is also available after Albion secured a work permit.

Asked about the next move for the Argentina international, Potter said: “We will take a decision over the next few days.”