The 2009-10 campaign for Brighton & Hove Albion was a dramatic season of two distinct halves, defined by the transformative arrival of manager Gus Poyet. After a dire first half under Russell Slade, which saw The Seagulls flirting dangerously with the relegation zone in 20th place, Poyet's appointment in November heralded an immediate and spectacular resurgence. The club, now playing a new style of 'flicky flicky' football, surged away from trouble to secure a safe 13th-place finish in League One. Leading the line was veteran striker Nicky Forster, whose 16 goals proved crucial in the club's turn of fortune and ultimately laid the vital foundation for the silverware that would follow.