Ipswich Town column: Joey Sadler praises Brighton as team the Blues should aspire to be ahead of Premier League fixture at American Express Stadium

No sooner had our season started when an international break comes along.

They are so boring – especially the first one of the campaign, which does seem a little silly given England only played in a final two months ago.

Oh well, we've got through it and attention turns firmly back to the Premier League.

Two trips down south are next on the agenda for Town, with the rather scary prospect of an in-form Brighton & Hove Albion up first.

First things first – Ipswich Town are a bigger football club than Brighton – that isn't even a debate.

But the Seagulls are way ahead of Town on the pitch right now and they are the perfect example of what a successful, modern day football club looks like.

I think we have all the ingredients to be like Brighton and if we do manage to avoid the drop, why shouldn't we be aiming for similar success?

They have a model I'd love us to emulate.

As for the start of this season, Fabian Hurzeler's men have beaten Everton and Manchester United and drawn with Arsenal so far. It's an excellent start.

So you won't be surprised to see the bookies have Town as the underdogs going into this weekend. I fancy us though.

I know that sounds ambitious, but I think we can get something there.

Is that me being blinded by previous success on the road? Or do we have a chance? I think we do.

Brighton will come on to us – and as we saw at Manchester City – Town are capable of scoring and creating chances on the counter-attack.

I think we’ll nab at least one point from the match.

After Brighton it's their neighbours Southampton. It’s a game that both us and the Saints will be looking at as a huge opportunity to gain all three points.

I think that game is huge. Yes it's only September, but lose to Russell Martin's men and you are staring down the barrel of being trumped by a relegation-threatened rival.

Beat them, however, and imagine the confidence that will then give us.

See you all at the seaside.