Psychology plays a significant part in a footballer's fortunes - a player who is worried his side might be outclassed before a game is usually beaten before he steps on the pitch.

I'm always banging on about confidence being vital to footballers and the success of their sides, and make no mistake about the value of Brighton's midweek draw with Ipswich.

Brighton are off the bottom of the Division One table for the first time in three months and the relief at the Withdean must be tangible.

They have moved above Sheffield Wednesday, albeit on goal difference, and now Stoke, Grimsby and Bradford are in their sights.

Bradford, who are 20th, may be five points better off than the Seagulls, but with their financial problems I challenge any Albion fan to say they would rather be in their position at present.

Their players are taking wage cuts, morale is low and who knows which players will leave when the transfer window opens in January?

I have noticed a definite shift of opinion in recent weeks about Brighton.

After being the whipping boys of the division previously, there is now genuine confidence among fans that Albion may be able to stay up.

I can't see any teams above Bradford getting dragged down into the relegation fight but out of the five sides I mentioned, I don't consider Brighton to be one of the worst three.

The Albion have started to become harder to beat as two defeats in eight matches suggests compared to the dirty dozen earlier this season.

There are undoubtedly some weak sides in the First Division but Albion cannot rely upon other club's failings to help them.

In fact, Albion should be higher up the table because they could have won at Sheffield Wednesday where they were denied by a late, late goal last week.

Wednesday look a really poor side bereft of any confidence and passion.

They have sniffed around the trap door for the last two seasons and this will probably be the year they finally disappear. The Sheffield side have turned to Chris Turner to revive their fortunes and keep them up but I fear it could be mission impossible for the former goalkeeper.

Apart from the abject form of their rivals, the other good news for Albion is the return to form of Bobby Zamora.

Albion's young star bagged his 68th goal in 104 League games for the Sussex club on Tuesday with a cracking opener past Paul Gerrard.

And there were enough signs to suggest the Barking-born forward is back to his imperious best.

Let's hope so because Albion will certainly need his goals to have any hope of staying up.

Fourth from bottom would still be a remarkable achievement considering Albion's dire start to the season.

That's what a lot of Brighton fans will wish for this Christmas and I'm no different.

Saturday December 14