TONY DOING A BLOOM-ING BRILLIANT JOB

GUS POYET has hailed Brighton's scouting network as the best in the business - and the reason why they are genuine top-six contenders in the Premier League.

- HARRY PRATT

The former Uruguay international helped lay the early foundations for the Seagulls' eventual return to the elite during four successful years at the helm from 2009 to 2013, winning promotion into the Championship.

And although his time on the South Coast came to an infamous conclusion, when he discovered he had been sacked while working live in air as a BBC pundit, the hatchet appears long buried.

Nowadays, Poyet, 56, has nothing but glowing admiration and praise for Brighton owner Tony Bloom.