ALBION captain Lewis Dunk has put the club's good start to the season down to hard work during pre-season.

The Seagulls are unbeaten, having won against Manchester United on the season's opening day at Old Trafford and then following that result up with a goalless draw against Newcastle, a game in which they deserved to win.

Dunk said: "It's an unbeaten start to the season and I'd put that down mainly to a good pre-season. We all came in from day one and were able to work hard as a team on the training field.

"We feel good and we have hit the ground running. It was the same as the gaffer's first pre-season. We have different players now than we used to have, that's the dynamic that has changed.

"In the first half against Newcastle out of possession we were really good and stopped them doing what they wanted to do, but weren't good enough on the ball ourselves.

"But in the second half we stepped it up, still defended well, but got on the ball, controlled it and created some great chances.

"But Pope has made two big saves and we had two cleared off the line so it wasn't our day to score.

"There are days when it's the other way round and the forwards are scoring and we might let one in. That is football, but at least we are getting the chances as a unit.

"We scored two at Old Trafford so we know we can get the goals, but from this one we take the point and move forward.

"We have got a great squad – and that is after losing some big players over the past two years in Ben White, Dan Burn, Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella. They are big players.

"But we have got a good enough squad to fill in. That said there is a long way to go and we have to make sure we keep working hard in training.

"The club are being patient on what they do with the money and that side is nothing to do with me! That is their job to decide who they bring in or not.

"We feel as a squad that we are good enough to do something like we did last year and finish ninth in the league – so first we want to reach safety and then maybe push on and get even higher.

"We know we are good enough to do that."

Dunk has also been impressed by the player's team spirit, suggesting that it has helped them go that "extra yard" in the matches.

He said: "It's credit to the players and the team spirit that even with the ones that have gone we have performed well in these first two games.

"We have a togetherness and a team spirit and fight, the will to go that extra yard in a match. The midfield did a lot of running in that heat, and I was happy to be standing at the back.

"But we are a unit and train and play as one. The manager has been great from day one and we are a completely different team today to what we were on day one under him. We are just getting better and better."

Dunk has been a solid player for Albion since breaking into the team all those years ago, but has never received recognition on the international stage.

Many Albion fans believe that he should be called up to the England side, but time seems to be running out for Dunk.

He said: "I just go out and play football every week.

"If he (Gareth Southgate) comes calling, then it's unbelievable. But I just make sure I focus on what I am doing here.

"At my club I am trying to lead by example in the dressing room and on the pitch, and trying to be the best version of me out there on a Saturday.

"That's all I can do and focus on."