The magic of Potter

A couple of months ago, ahead of the new season, SBT Sport reported that Graham Potter’s position had potentially looked under threat after the struggles of last season hovering around the relegation zone and finishing 16th with just 9 wins from 38 games, despite the style of football being a marked improvement on seasons past.

Fast forward then to the beginning of October and the Seagulls are perched much more comfortably at the heady heights of 6th, having won four and drawn two of their first seven games, just two points off Chelsea at the top with their only defeat being a 0-2 home defeat to a resurgent Everton.

It is worth noting that last season, the Albion took twenty-one league games and until the end of January to win four matches.

I know it’s early days, but could the Seagulls realistically be challenging for Europe come April/May next year!? Now before anyone tells me to cap a lid on my excitement, let’s look at the evidence your honour.

Every Brighton fan will tell you that last season, the Seagulls were seriously lacking in the luck department, and yes, they may be using up all their good fortune owed to them now – a late winner at Brentford and the very enjoyable and satisfying 95th minute equaliser at Palace spring to mind – but tell me watching Brighton now hasn’t become a more pleasurable experience? Even the compliments uttered by the variety of pundits on BBC and Sky seems to be expanding every week. The Potter way is becoming noticed.

Is it therefore a case that the players have simply become more confident and now have more belief in his way? What is clear to see is that the team appears more composed on the ball and patient in possession whilst realising the need to spring from defence to attack with more speed of thought. They appear to be more resilient, even when the opposition are on top and there seems to be a united determination to work as a unit and not give up.

Individual players, like Leandro Trossard and Joel Veltman have stepped up and seem revitalised this season, the former being helped no doubt by his International call up into the Belgium set up. Adam Lallana is having an increased say in controlling the midfield and then there’s new signing, left back Marco Cucurella. With his exciting energy and pace going forward down the left-hand side, he’s become my new favourite Albion player. In defence, the partnership between Dunk and Duffy is playing like they’ve never been apart, particularly pleasing given Duffy’s unsuccessful loan spell at Celtic last season seemed to knock his confidence. Add into the mix the inevitable forthcoming return of the lightning quick Tariq Lamptey on the right and Albion fans have every reason to be optimistic this season.

When Graham Potter was appointed, many people questioned Chairman Tony Bloom’s gamble to bring in a manager unproven in the Premiership and with limited experience. Time will tell of course but for now, Potter has most definitely brought the magic back to the Amex.