Andrea Orlandi is looking forward to seeing two of his former sides go toe-to-toe when Albion host Blackpool in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The winger believes the competition kick-started his Albion career after his third-round goal knocked out Newcastle United at the Amex in 2013.
“I remember it as if it was yesterday. I saw Wayne Bridge galloping down the wing, I got into the box, he crossed it, my first touch wasn't the best but it still set me up to hit it on the volley off the side of my left boot.
“It was great because I know how big the FA Cup is and we knocked out a Premier League team. It was a very special moment and I remember my in-laws watching me for the first time at the Amex, it was fantastic.
“My season changed from that moment onwards, I started scoring some goals and enjoying myself.”
While the 34-year-old admits that he had a great time with Albion, things were more difficult when he moved to Blackpool in 2014.
“I had different experiences at both clubs. I had a great time at Brighton where we were unfortunate not to be promoted. With Blackpool it was a very difficult as we were relegated and we had all sorts of problems, but I did have some good times and my relationship with the fans was great.
“At Brighton, everything was brilliant. I had great friends in the dressing room and my family were very happy in the city. My second daughter was born there. I didn’t want to leave, so it was a bit of a culture shock.
“People might have a perception about Blackpool, but the people and the place gives you a warm feeling, you’re made very welcome. I have nothing bad to say about the city of Blackpool or the fans. Even the people who worked at the club day-to-day were great, there were just other issues.
“I am happy to see them now doing quite well. They have got new owners who are moving the club forward. Hopefully they can get back into the Championship at the least in the future.”
The former Barcelona player says it was a trip to Essex that made him realise how big a competition the FA Cup is.
“To be honest I didn't know much about the FA Cup, I thought it was like the Spanish Cup. But my first experience of it was with Swansea away to Billericay Town and the stadium was packed, they gave us a hard time.
“It was a wake-up call for me, the competition means a lot to every single club in the country. It's one of the most important competitions in the world and I realised it quickly after that game.
“From that moment onwards I loved playing in it. I played at Horsham, Histon on rainy, cold nights on muddy pitches. But it was great because it meant a lot to those clubs.”
Orlandi won't say who he wants to win at the Amex on Saturday.
“There have been shocks already in the cup this season and it would be another if Blackpool beat Brighton. You can't relax in any game in England, anything is possible. Brighton will need to be at their best.”