A FORMER Albion star has heaped praise on manager Graham Potter following the club's bright start to the Premier League season.

The Seagulls are currently flying high in the league table ahead of their trip to Norwich City on Saturday and are sitting in the sixth position, a Europa League qualifying place.

One key reason behind the team's success has been the influence of manager Graham Potter, who has started to see the rewards for implementing his attacking football philosophy on the club.

This comes after Potter's first two seasons, in which Albion fought off relegation and struggled to make the most of the chances players were creating for themselves.

Will Buckley has praised the manager and has cited his ability to manage the players individually as key to the success the club is currently having.

Talking to Seagulls Social, Buckley said: "Graham Potter had a rough start when he came in. There were a lot of questions about him and whether he was the right man, which is always the case when you are a new manager.

"But he has shown this season that he has been unbelievable. A few different managers have been tried in recent years, but now we have found the right one now in Graham Potter.

"His man-management looks unbelievable. To be honest, I think everyone in the squad is so strong, and he is keeping them all happy, even the ones that are not playing.

"You don't want players sulking about when they are left out, so I think his man-management is one of the best around.

"He has also brought so many tactical ideas to Brighton that he has worked on over the years, which is another thing that is standing out."

One player that has benefitted from the management of Potter is Neal Maupay. The striker has been in fine form this season, scoring four goals in seven Premier League matches, and looks set to have his best season in a Brighton shirt to date.

Maupay's goals this season have all come in positive results and have helped the team climb up the table.

Buckley is retired and played for Albion between 2011 and 2014, the winger would go on to make 109 appearances for the club scoring 19 goals and assisting 16.

After leaving Albion, Buckley would go on to play for Sunderland, Leeds United, Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers before retiring from the game.