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It was a triple celebration for Brighton on Friday as the club completed a clean sweep of the Premier League awards for September.

Fabian Hurzeler picked up the manager of the month award, Lewis Dunk's stunning long-range strike at Coventry has been named goal of the month, while the impressive Pascal Gross secured player of the month.

The 35-year-old - in his second spell at the Seagulls - has been instrumental in the club's rise to third in the Premier League after five games.

Across the month, Gross scored twice and provided three assists in just three games, including finding the net and setting up a goal in the dominant 3-0 win over champions Arsenal.

Away from the league, he also scored in the 3-2 comeback Carabao Cup win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gross becomes the first Brighton player to win the Premier League player of the month award.

In the final part of Thursday's special Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Carlos Baleba's exit possibly helping team spirit and whether the Seagulls can qualify for the Champions League.

Colin asked: Has the departure of Baleba helped team spirit and what can the club do to start retaining our stars so that we can take the next step to trophy success?

Johnny: The midfield has coped really well without Baleba. He did always strike me as a player who needed to mature and he also seemed to hang around with only a few team-mates.

However, everyone is different and everyone has a different character. If he progresses at Manchester United it may be seen as a loss, but in terms of team spirit, I don't think he had a detrimental effect.

Put simply, money wins and who would begrudge someone the chance to earn more? But what Brighton can do is compete.

Players like Jan Paul van Hecke may understandably be tempted by higher earnings or a 'bigger' project, but if Brighton can offer a team that competes for trophies, if not leagues, then that will help.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side - as countless departing Seagulls players have found in the past.

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Paul asked: Do Brighton have the squad to challenge for a Champions League position?

Johnny: In a word, yes. The squad is very good and very deep. However, when competing on four fronts there will inevitably be a toll.

The data suggests that mid-range Premier League teams finish on average four to six places lower than the previous season when competing in Europe.

Apply that and, despite a better squad, a Champions League spot could well be a step too far this season. The impression I get is the push for a trophy in a domestic or European competition is one of the major aims this season.

A high Premier League finish is desirable, but so much would have to fall into place.

Never say never in football, but winning Premier League games has never been tougher, as the promoted sides have shown already with both their victories and their defeats so far this season.

In the second of Thursday's three-part Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Pascal Gross' future and whether Fabian Hurzeler can avoid selling key players.

Conrad asked: How long can Gross keep it up for? I know his game doesn't rely on out-and-out pace, but he is 35 now - could he do a James Milner and play on until 40? We don't really have anyone else who can do what he does.

Johnny: What a signing he has been - and that's twice! We all know what strengths he has. If he had out-and-out pace, he would have been huge on the European and international stage.

Intelligent players can always extend their career as they can make adjustments to their game. It is tough in midfield, so maybe another couple of years. His game time may drop, as happened with Milner.

Having spoken to him so many times, I know he wants to play as long as possible at the top level, but he will surely become an excellent coach if he wants to go in that direction. An Albion manager of the future? Perhaps.

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Toby asked: Can we keep the squad together long enough to challenge for a trophy, and what does this mean for the club salary cap beyond this season?

Johnny: This squad is capable of winning a trophy already. The Seagulls have come close in domestic competitions, and they have certainly not been helped by really tricky draws in recent years.

Players will come and go, but as the chairman said to me this week, this is the squad with the most depth. The question is: which competition provides the best opportunity? For me, it's the Conference League.

In terms of the salary cap, I don't think there is such thing at the Albion. In the Premier League, prices paid for players increase and wages increase. That's a fact.

Brighton, like everyone, will increase at the top level but will never go beyond the value each player has. As we have seen this summer, sometimes refreshing a squad is as important as a consistent foundation.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for the final part of the Q&A, which will focus on Carlos Baleba's departure and whether the Seagulls can qualify for the Champions League.

In the first of a special three-part Brighton Q&A, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor looks at Charalampos Kostoulas' future at the club and how Fabian Hurzeler will manage his squad when injured players return.

Richard asked: We have seen many young players burst on to the scene, such as Aaron Connelly and Evan Ferguson (although injury has clearly hampered him), while even Steven Alzate had a terrific start. Do you think Kostoulas will go on to fulfil his potential at Albion?

Johnny: This kid is different. Of course, he was an expensive signing from an established top-flight club in Greece, but he is undoubtedly a serious talent. You can see that his movement and touch are very good and, although he is not the biggest player, he is strong. The main reason I think he will be a success is his eye for goal, his consistent strike on the ball and a desire to score. His first thought is to go forward. The biggest question may be whether his long-term success is at Brighton or potentially elsewhere if his talent is sought after by clubs with deeper pockets.

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Deri asked: Hurzeler has seemed to stumble upon a good team as a result of injuries to several key players. What should he do when the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Jack Hinshelwood are available?

Johnny: I wouldn't say he's stumbled on a good team, to be fair to him. Injuries forced him into looking for different solutions and it has worked. Hurzeler has changed the structure of the team and, despite a lack of fit high-level wingers, he trusted Maxim de Cuyper and Diego Gomez, who have delivered. A 100% fit Mitoma probably starts every time and Hinshelwood has found his home as a 10. It remains to be seen if Minteh stays at Brighton but Hurzeler has shown there are always alternatives. There are so many games to come across four competitions, so ultimately, if they are fit again, they will get a chance - but they must work hard to stay in the team. Rotation is inevitable.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for the second part of the Q&A, which will focus on Pascal Gross' future and whether Hurzeler can avoid selling key players in the future.

Football finance expert Kieran Magiure, has been answering your questions after Manchester City were found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules.

Gary: Is there any chance this could be resolved by the end of the season?

Kieran: There is a very high chance it will be resolved by the end of the season. Because if it is not, we could end up in another situation very similar to that of Burnley and Everton where a club could be relegated and Manchester City are not given a deduction. And next season, a club that finished in 18th could say had that deduction been applied earlier, we wouldn't have been relegated. So that would add to the complications.

Certainly looking at the Premier League's press release itself, it does seem that it is very keen to resolve it as quickly as possible. If you take a look at the length of time that it took the commissions in respect to Nottingham Forest and Everton, once they have heard the evidence, applying the sanctions is the quickest part. It's listening to evidence that is the torturous process.

• Listen to a special Q&A podcast by hitting play above or on BBC Sounds

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Dappy: Based on everything you read, what is the most likely punishment going to be for Manchester City?

Kieran: I agree that it could be a very hefty points deduction and a transfer embargo at the very least. On top of that, I believe there will be a very significant financial penalty added into the equation. The logic behind having a transfer embargo is that it then becomes a multi-season issue.

If we go back to 2013 when City were in breach of Uefa rules, they had a transfer ban, wage and squad caps, it did impact the club in the subsequent season.

Rehan: If Manchester City get a huge fine, what would the FA do with that money? Where would it go?

Kieran: It would be shared by the Premier League clubs, including Manchester City. And it will be offset against the league's legal bill. Discussions with lawyers suggest they think City could be liable for about two-thirds to three-quarters of Premier League's legal costs, which is estimated to be in the region of £50-60m.

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James Dunn
BBC South East sports reporter

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Brighton owner Tony Bloom says he is looking forward to seeing what the Seagulls can achieve after results he described as the "best in the history of the football club".

In a rare interview, Bloom told BBC South East victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, a 3-0 win over Premier League champions Arsenal and beating Coventry City 5-0 had boosted confidence at the club.

Bloom helped transform Brighton's fortunes after he became majority shareholder in 2009, when the team were struggling in the third tier of English football and playing at a temporary ground.

"I'm looking forward to what this team can achieve this season," Bloom said.

The Seagulls are currently third in the Premier League and tipped to win the Conference League.

Bloom, whose grandfather, Harry, was vice-chairman at the club in the 1970s, has been a fan since childhood. He would watch them play at the Goldstone Ground, which Brighton were forced to leave due to debt in 1997.

They were promoted to the Premier League eight years after he took control and celebrated its 125 -year anniversary at the victory over Arsenal on 19 September.

"It's vital that we always look forward, there's no point in looking back," Bloom said.

"We're always looking to improve in everything we do in terms of performances, in terms of results, processes, innovative way of doing things - because our competition is doing the same, so if you stand still you go backwards.

"We enjoy the moments and then move on because we have to keep improving.

"Obviously, winning leagues, winning trophies is really difficult, but I do think we've got a real chance.

"The Conference League is a very winnable tournament compared to others we've played in."

Listen to Bloom in conversation below or read more here