Anyone thinking Russell Slade’s job should be in jeopardy four games into the season should think again.

One point from 12, and 12 goals conceded is a ghastly start but it is far too early to make judgements about Slade’s radically overhauled Albion squad.

There is no reason to abandon belief so quickly in the man who saved the Seagulls last season, especially since Slade’s managerial record indicates he is a slow starter whose teams improve with time.

Albion already know that. Cast your mind back to the warm April afternoon when they were beaten 2-0 at MK Dons.

It was their fifth defeat in Slade’s first seven matches. Few gave them a prayer of staying up but we all know what happened.

The kick-off to the campaign has not been as alarming as it appears. Albion could just as easily have won 1-0 on the opening day against Walsall as lost to an Andrew Whing own goal.

They went to Brentford with Liam Dickinson as their only fully fit striker and picked up a decent point.

They began well at Huddersfield and were still very much in the game at 2-1 when a penalty and accompanying red card for Michel Kuipers sparked a capitulation.

And they would probably have beaten Stockport if Nicky Forster’s penalty had gone in, or at least drawn without the dismissals of Tommy Elphick and Colin Hawkins.

The time to judge Slade will be once he has a settled side and has settled on his best side.

In the meantime, it is not all doom and gloom. Jim McNulty and Jake Wright will both be back in a fortnight to solve the problem left-back position.

Elliott Bennett looks a good recruit and Dickinson, his confidence growing after two spectacular goals in as many games, could develop a profitable partnership with Forster, who remember, is not match sharp after only two starts since March.

History warns us not to jump to premature conclusions. Micky Adams’ team went top after three games last season with a Friday night victory at Southend, his 2001 title winners lost three of their first four fixtures.

As Adams was so fond of saying, keep the faith.