People laughed when the prospect of Leandro Trossard playing at wing-back for Albion was first put to Graham Potter. The question seemed light-hearted and the answer certainly was. In the immortal words of comedy great Bob Monkhouse, they are not laughing now.
Graham Potter said: “Psychologically, if he is down there defending in a low block, I’m not sure that’s great for him. But he is honest enough to match a full-back or match a wing-back. That is something he can do quite comfortably.”
Potter sees the irony that Trossard has started scoring again now he has chalk on his boots. But, equally, he appreciated that block by the Belgian in his own box.
Graham Potter said: “He has played at wing-back for his country. Obviously you want to try and have him further up the pitch than a defensive wing-back. It is up to the team to ensure that happens. There is probably a Plan B if he is not in the right position defensively because he is attacking. He can’t be in two places at the same time. I thought his all-round defensive attitude has been fantastic. He does his bit wherever he plays, in fairness to him. He doesn’t look like the natural defender because of the type of player he is. But, in fairness, he does that bit. At Tottenham, that block was sensational. It probably helps us win the game just as much as his goal.”
Potter says players will accept new challenges if they see what the thinking is.
Graham Potter added: “They have been brilliant. There has been no negativity at all. I think the key is that they understand what you are doing and why. It’s not just a case of ‘play there or else’ type of thing. It’s an idea and then there is the plan and how they fit it into it. All those guys are really open-minded and want to help the team. I think they have done it really well. Marc has been a little bit out of necessity but also because of the qualities he has. He is able to play in a left centre-back position but he plays it as Marc Cucurella plays it. Even against (Riyad) Mahrez (at Manchester City on Wednesday), defending relatively big spaces and one-versus-one, he did it really well and then still contributes to what we are trying to do. He did it against Chelsea away, Chelsea at home, Arsenal away, Tottenham away, so he has shown great quality. Leo, funnily enough, we have been trying to get more goals and more assists from him and played him more central. And ironically, he scored two from the wide positions. He did it slightly differently in terms of the role he had to play defensively for both games, Arsenal and Tottenham. But again he did it well. And Alexis is one of those players that has such a really good understanding of the game that pretty much you could play him anywhere and he knows what to do.”
