91�ȱ�

Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom believes the club are capable of mounting a play-off push next season.

Manager Gus Poyet led the Seagulls to a 10th-place finish in the Championship in 2011-12.

Bloom told 91�ȱ� Sussex: "There are funds to strengthen and I think we will be pretty competitive again.

"The budget is going to be similar, maybe slightly higher. I think we'll improve again and hopefully we'll be fighting for a top-six spot."

He added: "The teams coming down from the Premier League have got an advantage, because of their parachute payments.

"But outside of those clubs and one or two others, we'll be extremely competitive."

Meanwhile, Paul Barber, Albion's new chief executive, is aiming to help increase the Sussex side's commercial revenues.

Barber, who has had spells working at the Football Association, Tottenham Hotspur and Vancouver Whitecaps, started the role this week.

"It's hard to come in with big ideas and big plans, so my first thing will be getting to know the club," he told 91�ȱ� Sussex.

"Every club has a unique culture and a way of doing things.

"The potential here is terrific and there are great foundations to take the club further forward.

"A lot of the hard work has been already been done. It's my job to take it forward and see how far we can go."