The continuing Achilles' heel for Brighton

"Brighton could be in title contention by the end of December".

More than one supporter of other football clubs I know proclaimed this in the lead up to Southampton visiting Amex Stadium, having looked at the next six games for the Albion.

All are against opponents outside the top eight in the current Premier League table. Having beaten Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Newcastle this season, logic would indeed suggest upcoming games against relegation-threatened trio Saints, Leicester and Crystal Palace should end in Brighton victories.

But life is never that easy when you support the Albion. For six seasons now, under three managers, hosting struggling teams has been Brighton's Achilles' heel. Graham Potter had a terrible record in such fixtures and Roberto de Zerbi fared only slightly better.

As for Fabian Hurzeler? Despite beating the above teams, he has dropped points against Ipswich, Wolves and now Southampton.

Any title talk is as far fetched as me learning to ride a horse and partnering it to win the Grand National in April. Following the near-£200m summer spending spree and the start Brighton have made to the season, a return to Europe should be seen as an achievable target though.

To lead Brighton to the top six, Hurzeler needs to turnaround the Albion's poor home record facing sides below them in the table. With the next four weeks packed with such fixtures, it makes December a real test.

Forget hastening Erik ten Hag's departure, leaving Ange Postecoglu looking glum and having Pep Guardiola tearing his hair out. If Brighton are still in the mix for the top six when 2025 arrives having put sides fighting for their lives to the sword, then it might be time to get excited.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton