Former manager Micky Adams believes Albion can become a top Premier League side in the future – but must grind out results to stay in the division this season.

Adams, who has managed Albion on two different occasions, knows how difficult it is to stay in the Premier League having suffered relegation from the top flight with Leicester during his time at the helm of the Foxes.

He does not want to see the Seagulls suffer the same fate but stresses they must start picking up points sharpish - starting at the club closest to his heart, Sheffield United.

Adams grew up a Blades fan, was there as a youth player and later managed them. And current United boss Chris Wilder played 13 games for Albion in 1999-2000 under the management of Adams.

United, under Wilder, have proved experts at digging out results in the Prem since promotion.

Adams now believes the Seagulls must do the same but stressed they face a fight for survival.

He said: “Brighton is geared up to be a top quality Premier League side but they are in a battle at the minute with a group of clubs at the bottom of the table that are nervously looking over their shoulder.

“They have got to somehow grind out results between now and the end of the season.

“You can have all the best facilities in the world, which Brighton have now got, they can have a style of football and a manager and owner that deserve to be Premier League, but somewhere down the line they have got to battle and get results because at this moment in time they are in a fight.”

Adams has watched Albion a few times this season, including this month at West Ham, and says they cannot keep relying on other sides to bail them out of trouble.

He said: “There is no doubt at all that they have got a squad of players that is more than capable of getting results. I think the Watford game just before the winter break was key that they got something out of it.

“Going into a winter break without anything to show for it would have been devastating for them.

“That point might just have given them the little bit of confidence they needed, but having said that, they have got to grind out results from somewhere.

“I watched them at West Ham where they had chances, particularly early on, but got lucky really with some poor decision-making from West Ham’s defence.

“They can’t always rely on other teams to bail them out of trouble, they have got to do it themselves.”

Head coach Graham Potter has signed younger players who can be the future of the club in Tariq Lamptey, Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard as well as bringing through players from the youth academy like Aaron Connolly and Steven Alzate into the first team.

Adams thinks it is good to blood the youth players but warned they need to find the right balance.

He said: “I think the exuberance of youth will take you so far, but it is that thing that is between your ears that counts.

“You have got to get that mentality right because while you are trying to bring these kids through, you have got to somehow get results as well because defeats have a damaging effect on players and their morale. That is why a win is so vital for them.”