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.[3] Poyet guided Brighton away from the relegation zone, finishing the season in 13th place.
Brighton reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, being beaten by eventual semi-finalists Aston Villa. In the League Cup, Brighton were eliminated in the first round by Championship side Swansea City. 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.
^McNulty was born in Runcorn, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally and has represented them at U-17 and U-19 level.
^El-Abd was born in Brighton, England, but also qualified to represent Egypt internationally through his father and declared internationally for Egypt in 2005 before making his international debut for Egypt in May 2012.
^Crofts was born in Chatham, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally through a grandparent and represented Wales at U-19 and U-21 level before making his international debut for Wales in 2005.
^Virgo was born in Brighton, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally and has represented them at B level.
^Bennett was born in Telford, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally through his paternal grandparents and was called up by Jamaica in February 2015 without playing.
^Barnes was born in Bath, England, but also qualified to represent Austria internationally through his grandmother and represented Austria at U-20 level.
^Davies was born in Burton upon Trent, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally through a grandparent and represented Wales at U-17, U-19 and U-21 level before making his international debut for Wales in August 2005.