Gus Poyet admits Albion must make a good start to the new season if they are to make a concerted push for the play-offs.
Having had time to digest the new fixture list, the Seagulls boss believes the opening games at Swindon and Sheffield Wednesday, sandwiched between a home game with Rochdale, will provide a tough test - and has called on his side to hit the ground running.
Poyet told seagulls.co.uk, "Two of the most difficult trips we face in the division are Swindon and Sheffield Wednesday, and we face them in our opening two away games.
"We know how good Swindon are, having lost to them twice last season, while Sheffield Wednesday are a big club and will want to make an impression, having come down from the Championship.
"In between those games we face Rochdale, who will want to carry on their good work following a terrific season in League Two, so it's going to be very difficult."
He added, "We know what effect a bad start had on us last season, so we need to make a really positive start this time and set our stall out.
"I have said a place in the top six has to be our aim and we need to be in a strong position to achieve that as we go into the final eight games of the season.
"I have noticed that the opening three teams we face, we also play towards the end - along with Southampton, Colchester and Huddersfield. We have to be in a good position going into those games."
The opening game of the season at the County Ground sees Poyet return to the club he served as assistant boss to Dennis Wise. The corresponding game last season ended in a 2-1 defeat, and Gus is expecting another tough encounter on August 7.
"I received a warm welcome and enjoyed my return from that respect, but the result was obviously not what I had hoped for," he adds. "But Swindon proved themselves to be a very good team, reaching the play-off final when all the talk throughout the season was of the big clubs like Southampton, Charlton and Leeds.
"They were one of the most consistent teams and I thought they might go up in the final. How often have we seen teams who are not always in contention or spoken about, go up this way?
"We had Scunthorpe a year ago, while Blackpool achieved that feat in the Championship a few weeks ago. Swindon didn't quite manage it in the end, but they will be determined to go one better this season and we have to make sure we are ready for them."
Check out seagulls.co.uk on Saturday to read an exclusive World Cup blog from Gus, talking balls, Messi and Forlan.
