After a run of three wins from the opening fifteen games, Albion found themselves in 20th place and above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

[1] As a result, boss Russell Slade was sacked on 1 November 2008,[2] to be replaced by former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet, after Steve Coppell had rejected the chance to manage the club for a second time.

Brighton reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, being beaten by eventual semi-finalists Aston Villa.

The Seagulls were also knocked out of the Football League Trophy at the same stage they entered; in the Southern area second round they were defeated by Leyton Orient.

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