Albion fans have been urged to take the rough with the smooth with Anthony Knockaert.

Chris Hughton is still convinced players such as the Frenchman and fellow winger Kazenga LuaLua can be decisive for the Seagulls.

Knockaert has been below his best in Albion’s last two games after a flying start to his time at the Amex.

He was taken off during the second half of 0-0 draws with Preston and Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Leicester City boss David Pleat described Knockaert as “a poor man’s Riyad Mahrez” during commentary on Tuesday.

But Hughton accepts ups and downs are part of the deal – as they have been with LuaLua.

The Seagulls manager told The Argus: “In all honesty with Anthony it’s just the player he is. He is a creative player and I think wingers tend to be like that.

“We have had that with Kaz for some time where he can frustrate and then he can do something.

“I wanted to make the change and then I ummed and aahed. The ironic thing is probably, when I made the change, Anthony was just really coming into the game.

“I wanted to fresh things up a bit. But he’s a winger and wingers can be like that.”