Former Brighton manager Alan Mullery says current boss Sami Hyypia needs more time.
Pressure is growing on the Seagulls chief ahead of the clash with Town.
Brighton have gone eight Championship matches without a win.
And Saturday’s 2-1 home setback against Middlesbrough left them 20th.
Mullery insisted: “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.
“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.
He has had to rebuild the squad after last season’s loss against Derby County in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Keeper 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.
Hyypia’s problems have been compounded by the long-term loss of Wales international midfielder Andrew Crofts with a knee injury.
The former Leverkusen boss aid after the Boro clash: “I’m ambitious and I came here to be successful. That’s all I intend to do.
“The chairman decides if I’m right for this club but I’m not a quitter, I’m a fighter, and I hope that our team is full of fighters as well.”
