Oscar Garcia believes Albion are performing as well as can be expected in his first season at the helm.

The Spaniard has the Seagulls two points and two places outside the Championship play-offs as they head for Bolton Wanderers today.

Gus Poyet’s successor is satisfied with his team’s showing, bearing in mind injuries, a “difficult” January transfer window and the pedigree of the clubs Albion are up against.

Oscar told the Argus: “Seeing as we’ve had lots of injuries and a difficult transfer window, I am very happy with our season so far.

“I think we are doing a good job. The players deserve to be where we are. Most of the fans know where we have come from. We don’t come from the Premier League, we don’t have the highest budget.

“There are a lot of teams who have more pressure because of history, bigger clubs with bigger squads.

“There is more pressure for them to be top of the league or in a promotion position.

“We are happy because we are close to them and we will try to continue to compete with the bigger teams and squads around us.”

Albion need 22 points from the last 12 games to emulate last season’s tally under Poyet, when they finished fourth.