It was a season of immense progress at the AMEX as Brighton manager Chris Hughton almost led the side to the unlikeliest of promotions.

Brighton had barely stayed up the season before and when Chris Hughton came in, steady progress was expected. Their summer spending was modest to say the least with Tomer Hemed arriving for £1 million, Jamie Murphy came in for £1.5 million and they bolstered their defence with the free transfers of Liam Rosenior and Gaetan Bong.

Young talent was added in the shape of Connor Goldson as well as clever loan signings like James Wilson.

They started the season amazingly going on the longest unbeaten run in England before losing to Middlesbrough in  December, but came through  bad results to end the season strongly only missing out on promotion on the final day against Middlesbrough.

A playoff  defeat to Sheffield Wednesday confirmed Championship football for them but the progress made was admirable. The partnership of Goldson and Dunk at the back was fantastic and Brighton had one of the best defenses in the league whilst Stephens and Kayal were excellent in midfield.

Attackers Knockaert, Skalak and Hemed scored tonnes of goals between them. Brighton will hope to go one better next season and here is there dream back four for next season...

LB - Gaetan Bong

Gaetan Bong

Bong began the season really well for Brighton after his release from Wigan with fans admiring his marauding runs down the wing.

He worked hard defensively as well which he struggled with at Wigan and he was part of one of the best defences in England at Brighton. He was starting every game whilst Brighton went unbeaten but in late October he suffered an injury which kept him out for three months.

Even when he returned his thigh injury niggled at him and Hughton did not want to risk him too much preferring to start Liam Rosenior instead who was solid but not as exciting as Bong.

Bong's link up play with LuaLua was excellent and Rosenior never quite had that chemistry, Brighton fans will hope he has better fortune this season.

CB - Lewis Dunk

lewis dunklewis dunk

The 24-year-old centre back was heavily linked with a move to Fulham at the start of the season and Fulham fans mocked him on Twitter when he said no because Fulham fans felt they would do better than Brighton.

How wrong they were. Dunk was a revelation at the back for Brighton towering at 6ft 4 inches dominating attackers in the air and was dangerous from set pieces scoring 4 goals.

His partnership with Connor Goldson was outstanding and they developed a telepathic understanding and Brighton ended the season with one of the best defences in the Championship, and even with the vultures circling they will be desperate to keep hold of him for next season.

CB - Connor Goldson

Connor GoldsonConnor Goldson

Another one of the breakthrough stars for Brighton was Connor Goldson who was signed from Shrewsbury in the summer.

He won a lot of accolades in the 14/15 season at Shrewsbury and won a place in Team of the Year tempting Brighton too pick him up. The 23-year-old fitted right into the side alongside Dunk and there partnership was magnificent with Goldson using his height to dominate strikers and threaten from set pieces.

Him and Dunk is a young pairing getting better every year and Brighton have too keep hold of the pair if they are to stand a chance next season.

RB - Emilio Nsue

Emilio Nsue

Brighton have the wonderful Bruno Saltor at right back who was possibly the best right back in the Championship but at 35 he needs some help and Brighton may opt to go for a fresher option.

Nsue won promotion with Middlesbrough this season with his performances vastly improved form the previous season and he has helped them win promotion. But many Middlesbrough fans he won't make the grade in the Premier League and Middlesbrough are likely to buy a new one like Tomas Kalas who was on loan there last season.

Nsue is a good dribbler and has a good strike, similar to Bruno and will provide good cover for him.

Thoughts Brighton fans? Leave thoughts and opinions below.