The Seagulls go into the next 13 games with Danny Welbeck their one specialist centre-forward with Premier League experience. They have strikers in Deniz Undav and teenager Even Ferguson as well as several attacking players. Graham Potter is aware the talk about him needing another striker resurfaced in the later stages of the summer window. Just to make sure, he was reminded at his press conference yesterday staged in the build-up to the Leicester game. He has gone on the record saying that one type of player he might like to add would be a frontman with similar profile to Welbeck.
Asked whether Albion had looked for one
Graham Potter replied: “We looked, we were aware of the options but at the same time everything needs to align and it has to be right for the club. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. But we have different options, different variety. Danny’s in a really good place, probably as well as he’s played with us, so I’m excited for him. The window is the window, you can have ideas but you have to do the right thing for the club and sometimes doing nothing is the right thing as well.”
Potter is confident his side have enough goals in them to score one more than the opponent, providing they get things right at the back as well. Pascal Gross has netted three times so far and had a couple more good chances. Solly March has not been short of opportunities while Leandro Trossard is already off the mark. The side have also forced two penalties, both put away by Alexis Mac Allister. Potter’s confirmation that Albion looked for a striker showed he is fully aware of areas where the group can be improved.
Graham Potter said: “Rather than wait for that 20-goal striker to come along, it’s probably better that the team does better and attacks better, creates more chances and other players from other areas of the pitch score because that’s something we can control. Alexis has chipped in, Pascal has chipped in, we’ve got others who can do that as well. Solly’s been really close, Leo can score. So we’ve got options and we’ve got players that can do that, it’s just a case of keep working with the boys. I like the group, I like the team. Good togetherness and good competition, good options and good variety. We have to keep working now. I won’t be the first manager to say I’m happy the window is shut, I’m sure. But thankfully 13 games and then it’s open again so I don’t have to wait long, do I?”
That last bit was said with a laugh but the belief in his squad is very serious. Undav needs to play a big part in that, not least since Neal Maupay left. The German got off the mark with a calm finish in the Carabao Cup win at Forest Green. He faces the challenge of getting up to the physical, mental and technical demands of the Prem and little has been seen of him so far. But we have seen he get into decent areas, even if he was clearly offside when he hit the post in the defeat by Fulham in midweek. Still, it is very early days and his chance is likely to come.
Graham Potter said: “He’s a different profile to Danny, different attributes. We’re getting to know him and him us. He probably has to be a little bit patient at the moment but that’s to be expected because the team is doing well. Apart from the other night, we’ve been on a good run. But we understand his quality and there will come a time when we need those qualities and that’s when he needs to show he’s ready, and he will be. He’s fighting every day and we’re happy with him.”
Potter said it was never a temptation to spend money in the transfer window as big fees rolled in. A player would only be brought in if he – and all elements of the deal – were just right. It is clear Albion do not necessarily disagree with those calling for another striker to be signed. But they remain more positive about what they already have than some observers appear to be.
Graham Potter said: “I like the group, I like the different qualities we have, the different personalities we have. People make assessments now but really the proof is in the pudding, to be honest. People ask how good your window has been, how much money you’ve spent or so-called names you bring in, but actually it’s about whether they help the team function better and we won’t know that until nine months’ time. In terms of how I would assess the group, it is more about how it functions together, how the personalities are mixing together, how training is every day – and the initial signs are really positive. Now it’s a case of work. The window’s shut for that long period of 13 matches and then we look forward to the next round of transfer questions!”
