Albion chairman Tony Bloom is targeting a top two finish next season.

He is confident the Seagulls can mount an automatic promotion challenge under Gus Poyet, rather than enduring the uncertainty of the play-offs.

Albion have flourished since Poyet was appointed in November. They were just outside the relegation zone when he took over but go to Hartlepool today comfortably placed in 13th after 34 points from 24 games.

Bloom stated when succeeding Dick Knight as chairman 11 months ago that he wanted Albion in the Championship for the move to Falmer in August 2011 and that aim has not altered.

He said: “I had high expectations and it’s gone at least as well and probably better than I would have hoped.

“He (Poyet) has sorted out the problems, mainly with the defence but a lot of other things. We are playing football, attracting players. Lots of things at the club are going well and we are getting there.

“We’ll have a good finish. Pre-season we have obviously got some transfer targets then we want to get off to a flyer because I think this team can genuinely finish in the top two.

“I know I said the same thing a year ago. That was more in hope than expectation, although I certainly didn’t expect to be in the bottom three in March.

“That was not in the script at all. I thought we had a reasonable chance of the play-offs but I would be really unhappy if we were in the play-offs next season.

“We are aiming for the top two, Gus is the same. There are no guarantees but everything is looking good, on and off the pitch.”

Albion have the chance today to extend their unbeaten away run in League One to nine games and one defeat in ten outings overall.