Albion manager Martin Hinshelwood believes it is too early to panic about the League table.

The injury-hit Seagulls slipped into the bottom three after last weekend's results.

Hinshelwood, however, is encouraged by the way his team performed in the 4-2 defeat at leaders Portsmouth as they prepare to face fellow strugglers Millwall at the Den on Saturday.

He said: "I heard on the radio that we are in the relegation zone now.

"It's frustrating but it is early days yet. We should have more points on the board from the games we have played but I have learned an awful lot in those six games and I have also learned a lot about my players.

"Nobody likes losing matches but it's how you lose them. Compared to the defeats against Wimbledon and Walsall there were good things to come out of us losing at Portsmouth."

Hinshelwood is pleased with the way the players have responded in training this week. The bonding process was enhanced by a team meal at a local Italian restaurant.

He added: "Sometimes if you lose on a Saturday it is difficult to get them going again but they have all been working hard."

Former Albion chief Steve Gritt, now No. 2 to Mark McGhee at Millwall, is expecting a backlash from his old club after watching the 2-0 defeat by Walsall at Withdean ten days ago.

He said: "I am sure Martin was disappointed with them on the day. They didn't create too many chances and never put Walsall under any pressure.

"We are expecting a different game on Saturday. Any side on the back of three or four defeats is always trying that much harder so the next one does not add to the tally."

Meanwhile, Albion have decided not to appeal against Graham Barrett's red card on his debut at Portsmouth in the absence of clear video evidence.

The loan signing from Arsenal misses the next five matches through a combination of Eire under 21 commitments, the Gunners' refusal to let him play in the Worthington Cup, and his dismissal by referee Steve Bennett for scuffling with Pompey defender Matthew Taylor.

Hinshelwood was unhappy that Bennett had also been in charge of Albion's defeat at Wimbledon the previous Saturday. Football League spokesman John Nagle explained: "There was a last minute cry-off for that match and he was the only ref available. It's very unusual, refs wouldn't normally do the same team twice."

Young striker Shaun Wilkinson, in contention for a return to the starting lineup on Saturday, opened the scoring in a 6-0 romp for the Reserves against Cambridge United at Worthing last night.

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