'Splash the money' - Warnock urges Brighton to spend big on missing ingredient

The Seagulls have looked good so far this season, but haven’t always been able to secure the points needed to reflect that promise.

Graham Potter’s men have hit 14 goals in their opening 10 games, but have had a further 109 unsuccessful efforts in that time.

Summer signing Danny Welbeck has looked sharp since making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur last month, and opened his account for the club with a goal against Aston Villa a fortnight ago.

Likewise, Neal Maupay has four strikes in nine league outings this term, but Warnock is still convinced that another hitman could be the missing ingredient needed to ignite Albion’s campaign.

Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Football Show, he said: “If you look at the chances they create most games, it’s very very high.

"You just think a calmness in front of goal, maybe that’s where they need to go and splash the money, to go for a top class striker and try and attract that clinical player to be able to put the ball in the back of the net.

"Danny Welbeck’s been in decent form since he came into the team, obviously scoring that lovely goal away at Aston Villa and then getting them back into the game against Liverpool by winning the penalty.

"They have got options now – Maupay, I’m a huge fan of. I think he’s very good and I think he’ll only get better over time, working with Graham Potter. We say he’s a manager, but he’s actually a coach.

"That’s what I love about him – he’s improving his team, he’s improving the players that come into the club, which I think is something that gets a little bit lost in football.”

Potter’s side come up against high-flying Southampton on Monday evening, knowing that a win would take them above Arsenal into 15th.

Burnley’s draw against Everton over the weekend cut the gap between the Seagulls and the relegation zone to four points, with the Clarets still holding a game in hand on the teams above them.