Gary Dicker believes there are many positives that Brighton can take from last season.

The Seagulls ended their 2020/21 campaign by finishing 16th in the Premier League and 11 points clear of the drop, despite in March only being above the relegation zone on goal difference after Fulham beat Liverpool.

However, after securing a record fifth successive season in the top flight, Dicker believes the only way is up for Albion.

He said: “There are so many plusses when you strip it back, as a fan you are only sometimes looking at it as not winning, but Brighton are a well-oiled machine and they are a club that is definitely on the up.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they are a top ten club in the Premier League for the next 20 years to be honest with you if they get it right, but you have get lucky with injuries and keep your best players at the club.”

Dicker has watched most of Albion’s games this season like many fans on TV and admits luck has not been on their side.

He said: “They have been so unlucky, I know you always end up where you deserve but they definitely should have had more points on the board and the Wolves game kind of summed up their season.

“They were unbelievable in the first half and then Dunky got sent off and that changes the game. But I think the way the club is and the ambitions of the owner go hand in hand.

“I don’t think Brighton will sit still and I know fans will be worried that they are not spending money on a striker.

“But Brighton will have a plan and will have a way of getting into the top ten in the Premier League.

“It might take another year or two, but I wouldn’t put it past them to break into it and not just be a club that stays in the Premier League but wants to be there for the foreseeable future and become a sustainable Premier League club.

“Right now they are just missing one or two pieces of the jigsaw.

“So I would back them to make it in the top ten in the next season or two.”