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Brighton and Hove Albion manager Sami Hyypia deserves more time to turn around the team's fortunes, according to ex-Seagulls boss Alan Mullery.

Saturday's defeat by Middlesbrough was Albion's eighth straight Championship game without a win, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.

Mullery told 91�ȱ� Sussex: "It's very early in the season and we've had a lot of changes in personnel.

"We're not far away from improving and starting to win games."

Former England midfielder Mullery, who managed the Seagulls between 1976 and 1981, and again in 1986-87, now acts as a club ambassador at The Amex Stadium.

He continued: "We haven't gelled completely. There's still question marks over how players are going to play."

Former Liverpool captain Hyypia was appointed Brighton boss in June and has had to rebuild the squad following last season's loss against Derby County in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, midfielders Andrea Orlandi and David Lopez, and forwards Will Hoskins and David Rodriguez were among those released, while striker Leonardo Ulloa was sold to Leicester City for £8m.

Former Albion defender Gary Chivers, who made more than 200 appearances for the club, also said the Finn, who had previously managed Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, should be given more time.

"People are saying about changing the manager, but I think we have got to stay with him," said Chivers.

"He's been in the job, what is it, four or five months? It's no good changing your manager, otherwise the new manager will come in and be faced with the same problems, bringing all these players in - let's just be settled, let's give him a bit of time."

Albion travel to Huddersfield on Tuesday night, before facing Rotherham at home next Saturday.