Albion newcomer Al Bangura has pledged to keep his pal Theo Robinson off the scoresheet against Southend tonight.

The on-loan Watford signings face each other for the seaside rivals at Withdean tonight.

Bangura makes his home debut for the Seagulls in midfield while striker Robinson will be trying to build on his third goal in seven games for Southend in Saturday's home victory over Walsall.

Bangura said: “He is a very good friend of mine and I am looking forward to playing against him.

“I am not going to let him score against us. He is a very good player but I am going to have my eyes on him and I am going to tell the defenders to do the same, because he is quick and talented.”

Bangura is confident Albion can climb clear of trouble under new manager Russell Slade.

The tough-tackling African, fortunate not to be sent-off in Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at fellow strugglers Leyton Orient, said: “He is a really positive manager.

“On his first day with us he said he is going to come and join us, not just sit up in the stand. He said he is going to fight with us, do everything with us.

“He showed us some really positive stuff in his first day of training, how to defend and how to attack.

“He is going to take the club forward because he is a very good guy. He knows how to talk to players and how to motivate them.

“I don't see any way Brighton will go down because they have got very talented players here, never mind those of us who have just joined. It’s just little things, switching on quicker and getting our finishing right.”

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