Albion have "nothing to fear" in the Second Division, according to their experienced promotion tradesman.
But Richard Carpenter also reckons you need "serious amounts of money to do well".
Carpenter has now been promoted from the Third Division with the Seagulls, Cardiff, Fulham and Gillingham.
Cardiff found life tough in the higher grade and they went straight back down last season before Carpenter joined Albion in the summer.
Swansea are going the same way this time and boss Micky Adams cited them this week as an example of how things can quickly go wrong without substantial investment.
Carpenter said: "There is nothing for us to fear in the Second Division.
"A couple of new players here and there and we can be up there mid-table.
"It's a difficult division. You have got to have serious amounts of money to do well in it. Cardiff are a big club and we found it difficult to cope.
"Brighton are also a big club in terms of our fan base and if we can stay in there the first year and then build on that we will get stronger and stronger."
Carpenter kicked-off the promotion party against Darlington at Withdean on Monday with his seventh goal of an encouraging debut season with the Seagulls.
Going up with Albion means as much to him as the previous three promotions.
He said: "They are all as nice as each other. You can't beat being in a successful side.
"Probably the first is the most special, but they are all special in their own way and this one is very close to my heart."
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