Brighton & Hove Albion began the 2012-13 campaign with hopes of challenging for a playoff place having finished 10th last season.

Manager Gus Poyet remained at the club despite speculation surrounding his future and immediately set about improving his squad, bringing in the likes of Thomas Kuszczak, Bruno and Wayne Bridge.

Further signings were to follow as Andrew Crofts, Andrea Orlandi, Stephen Dobbie, Dean Hammond and David Lopez all arrived at the Amex Stadium.

With half of their Championship season now gone, Sports Mole takes a closer look at whether Brighton's playoff hopes are on track.

August

Brighton's season got off to the worst possible start as they crashed out of the League Cup at the first hurdle, losing 3-0 to League One side Swindon Town.

Albion also lost their opening Championship fixture, a 1-0 defeat to Hull City, before a goalless draw with Cardiff City gave them their first point of the season.

Gus Poyet's men finally got their playoff challenge up and running with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Barnsley, with summer signing Wayne Bridge joining Ashley Barnes and Craig Mackail-Smith on the scoresheet.

September

Mackail-Smith netted another double in Albion's first match of September, a 3-1 win over Burnley, before adding yet another to his tally in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The striker then scored the only goal in Brighton's win away to Watford, his sixth strike in four games, while victory over Millwall gave them a fifth consecutive league win to see them rise to the top of the Championship.

Brighton's good form came to an end at home to Birmingham, however, as a 1-0 defeat saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to just goal difference.

October

October was not to be kind to Gus Poyet and his men as they began the month with consecutive draws against Ipswich Town and Derby County.

Two losses followed as Middlesbrough came to The Amex and won by a solitary goal, while Leicester maintained their good home form with a 1-0 win over Albion three days later.

Brighton ended their winless month with a 1-1 draw against Blackpool, a result which left them sitting 10th in the table.

November

Albion's poor form continued into November as a 2-2 draw against Leeds made it seven matches without a win for Gus Poyet's men. They finally ended this run against lowly Peterborough United, however, running out 1-0 winners courtesy of Dobbie's injury-time winner.

Dobbie thought that he had stolen another three points for his side with an 89th-minute goal in their match against Wolves, but Roger Johnson scored in stoppage time to ensure that the points were shared in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Will Buckley scored twice to seal a 2-1 win over Huddersfield in their next match, while more late drama saw Bolton nick a point with a 96th-minute equaliser to leave Brighton eighth in the table.

The Seagulls made it seven games without a loss in their final match of the month, overcoming Bristol City 2-0.

December

Inconsistency reared its head again throughout December as Brighton began the month losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace.

Draws followed against Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest and Millwall to leave Albion ninth in the Championship table at Christmas.

The Seagulls were due to take on Blackburn at Ewood Park in December 22, but a waterlogged pitch caused the matched to be postponed.