Albion manager Micky Adams expects his team to feel more at home in their second season at Withdean.

The Seagulls were plagued by problems with the pitch and an uneasy relationship with site managers Ecovert South at their temporary stadium last season.

Results suffered and the much-heralded home-coming fell flat, six defeats and seven draws in front of their own fans wrecking Albion's chances of promotion.

Now Adams feels his players will be more prepared for Withdean's unique challenges as he prepares them for Saturday's showpiece friendly against First Division Sheffield Wednesday.

"It will help to have the experience of our first season at Withdean under our belts," Adams said.

"People didn't realise the problems we have there, although they probably do now.

"Everything takes a bit of getting used to, like the dressing rooms, pitch and run of the ball.

"When it is your own pitch you prepare it how you want to.

"If I said saturate the pitch one Saturday it would have to be done. At Withdean I have to ask other people if they mind doing it."

Adams feels the "intimidating atmosphere" at Albion's temporary home also had an adverse effect.

"Even this pre-season, when refs have come in to train with us and tell us about the rule changes, they have all mentioned the intimidating atmosphere at Withdean," Adams revealed.

"In the first couple of games last season the euphoria of coming home kept the adrenalin pumping in terms of the boys' performance.

"When that died and there is an intimidating atmosphere it affects everybody, referees, the opposition and us.

"It took us a while to settle down and adapt to it and we certainly played a lot more relaxed football away from home."

John Westcott and Ryan Palmer, two of the players released by Adams at the end of last season, are on trial with Ryman League Sutton.