Oatway joined Brighton in 1999 from Lincoln

Brighton caretaker coach Charlie Oatway is expecting players to improve their performances as the search for a new manager gathers pace.

The 35-year-old caretaker coach made over 200 appearances in an eight-year spell at the club in midfield.

Oatway told BBC Sussex: "Once you clear the air, everyone gets that little burst of energy.

"Players that haven't been playing are going to be wanting to play on Saturday," Oatway added.

"As soon as you walk into a changing room and you say everybody has a clean slate, everyone finds that extra half a yard."

Oatway added that the coaching team's opinion of players would be of importance to a new manager.

"We told them that our word might be carrying a little bit of weight with the [new] manager coming in and asking questions."

But the former Brighton player said he was unsure how players find the extra energy.

"I don't know what it is, it's mind baffling, it's something out there that I've never gathered myself but they do end up gaining half a yard," Oatway added.

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