Yankuba Minteh has revealed he was allocated the No.11 shirt by Fabian Hurzeler for the new season.
And he hopes to repay that faith with further improvements in his second [Albion](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/) campaign.
Seagulls players have been telling why they chose their new squad numbers, with James Milner’s tribute to Diogo Jota attracting the most attention.
Several others had reasons for changing, including Carlos Baleba reverting to his old squad number of 17.
But Minteh was handed the 11, a classic winger’s number, by Hurzeler after Simon Adingra left for Sunderland.
One year on, the former Newcastle man is out to improve on his debut campaign and he showed good signs with two calmly taken goals at Southampton.
He told The Argus: “It’s a good number for me. I didn’t choose it, though. Fabian gave it to me!”
Minteh twice passed the ball into the far bottom corner to open up a 2-0 lead.
He said: “They were very similar.
“I always try to do this in training.
“Just get the ball at my feet, going one v one, look for the spaces.
“I think I should have scored one or two more.
“We just need to put a little but more because it is not the result we want
“We always want to win games.
“We concede two goals. I think we need to work on that as a team.”
Minteh looks well-placed to build on his debut Prem season with the Seagulls.
He added: “The first season they helped to me like a younger brother.
“They tried to help me adapt to the system and it wasn’t difficult.
“I just need to work more.
“I think I improved a lot. Working with Fabian, he tries to help you every day.
“Pressing, the finishing. It is getting better and better. I’m really happy.”
Hurzeler was pleased with Minteh’s two goals but gave a mixed review of his performance.
The Seagulls boss said: “He showed positive aspects. He could improve on details with decision-making in the final third but he is still a young player.
“He scored two nice goals. In the defence we weren’t good enough in the final third.
“There we have to improve but overall he did some good things, some bad things and we still have two weeks where we can improve with him the small details.”