The Seagulls moved to 13th on the Premier League ladder after a 3-1 win over West Ham at Amex Stadium on Saturday.

And the Australian goalkeeper paid tribute to the unity within the squad that has seen them through a tough period.

"We have to keep level-headed now, we're a great team who are united and everyone in the dressing room is a good person,” the 25-year-old told the club’s website.

"Everyone in the club is polite and friendly with one another and appreciates the effort we all put in every day.

"To look at the club now compared to how it was a few years ago, speaks volumes about the work that's been done here and how far we've all come.”

Ryan added: "We just want to get as many points on the board as possible - even more so at home and against the teams around us.

"We want to make this place a fortress and get as many victories here as possible - we haven't done it as often as we would have liked this year, so it's good to be able to do that on Saturday.

"We've got more good games here for us - everyone can take another deep breath after that result and we have to go again against next week against Stoke City because that's another cup final.”

Ryan thanked fans for sticking by the club after the euphoria of last season’s promotion to the top flight.

"It's a different feeling this season because we haven't won as many last year - but it's the hardest league in the world and everything we do at this club we do it together,” he said.

"We hurt as much as the fans when things aren't going our way, so we're doing everything we can do get results and stay in this league - we've taken a small step today and now we have to take more to get to the points total we need to survive.

"The fans have been great all season and they always make themselves heard and sell-out.

"Everyone's frustrated when we don't win but they stick behind us and it was evident on Saturday - they can have a big influence on results, and they can be an extra man for us out on the pitch when we can hear them."