New Albion manager Peter Taylor will steer the Seagulls with style, according to former team mate Martin Hinshelwood.

Albion's director of youth played alongside Taylor at Crystal Palace.

Hinshelwood helped assistant boss Bob Booker to two wins in his caretaker post prior to Taylor's appointment.

Booker and Hinshelwood now revert to their original roles, but Taylor still turned to the duo to select the side for his first match in charge against fellow high-flyers Oldham at Withdean today.

"Malcolm Allison bought Peter for Palace from Southend and paid a lot of money for him in those days," said Hinshelwood. "He was just a quality footballer.

"He was good on the ball and a bit like Watto (Paul Watson) is on set pieces. He wanted to play and I would imagine he has come here with the same outlook he had as a player.

"We are a footballing side, so I think he will be pleased with what is here.

"I haven't seen him work as a coach, only as a player, but he must have taken that footballing ability onto his coaching otherwise he wouldn't have been with England and got a chance in the Premiership."

Hinshelwood believes Taylor can bounce back from his sacking at Leicester to guide Albion to Second Division success, just as he did at Gillingham two seasons ago.

"I am sure he will be disappointed with the way things went at Leicester, but he's got nothing to prove even if other people feel he has," said Hinshelwood.

"I think he will be successful here and the future is very good now.

"At Gillingham he replaced Tony Pulis. No disrespect to Tony, but they used to get the ball forward early. He changed that because he wanted to play, so that will be good for us.

"We've got players here who want to play and there is not a lot he will have to fix.

"He will tinker with one or two things and have different ideas about one or two players, but I think he will be pleased with what is here."

Taylor has a hectic start. Albion visit Notts County in the League on Tuesday, host Colchester next Saturday and Wycombe Wanderers on October 30 in the second round southern section of the LDV Vans Trophy.

The Seagulls have been drawn away to non-League Wokingham in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at Windsor and Eton FC on Wednesday (7.45).