After their 2-1 win away to fellow newly-promoted side Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the season, Forest Green have since found life in League One much tougher to deal with.
Their 1-1 draw away to Lincoln City has been sandwiched by two home defeats at the hands of Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle, two sides expected to be competing at the very top end of the table this season.
However, head coach Ian Burchnall will be reminding his players that their current position of 20th is arguably a false one given that they have a game in hand
on the rest of the division (except Accrington Stanley, whom they will face in two weeks), and would also be a perfectly acceptable finish come the end of the season.
With surviving relegation the club’s priority this season, it remains to be seen how seriously they will take Wednesday’s test against Brighton, but resting any key players against Premier League opposition is a hard sell for any manager.
Brighton, meanwhile, have made a superb start to the season with seven points from their opening three league games showing they are ready to take the next step under Graham Potter.
The former Swansea City boss has taken the Seagulls from strength to strength since replacing Chris Hughton three years ago, transforming their playing style into a more progressive one while gradually improving results, too.
Scoring goals can at times remain a problem for them, particularly at home, as last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Newcastle United demonstrated having dominated almost the entirety of the match with seven shots on target compared to their opponents’ one.
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However, on the road they appear to carry a heftier punch having scored twice at both Old Trafford and the London Stadium already this season, so Forest Green must be aware of leaving themselves open to Brighton’s slick possession game.
Burchnall picked a strong team in the previous round against Leyton Orient and will almost certainly do so again with his team looking to announce themselves on the big stage.
Armani Little is not a regular starter in the league but he should receive the nod here after bagging a brace against The O’s.
