Graham Potter Brighton
Grahm you had plenty of possession and shots on target, do you feel you could have got more out of the game?
If you look at the stats of the game, apart from the most important stat, there’s a lot there that says we did a lot well but ultimately the two boxes are the most important area and that’s where we’ve come up short. First half I thought we had a couple of opportunities, we won it back high and created a 1v1 situation pretty early in the game. Obviously the goal is a blow for us. We need to do better than that. Of course, it’s difficult then, you’re 1-0 down at home. I thought the team gave everything, I thought the intention of the team was there. You could tell by the amount of times we got in their box, the shots we had, there was a positive intent but the scoreline is painful for us.
Since you’ve arrived, you’ve changed formation and players a few times. What is the biggest factor why Chelsea haven’t been consistent this season?
The formation has been the same for the last few weeks. It’s not for me to talk through the story of the season now. We came in in September. There’s a lot of games, a lot of injuries, it’s difficult to have the consistency you want because you’re playing a lot of matches. Today is a setback, of course it is because we’re disappointed to lose and at home we can feel the pain of the supporters. We have to dust ourselves down and go again on Tuesday.
The momentum before the internatinal break changed for the better, today’s reaction was quite fierce, are you worried you’re back to square one?
I understand when you lose at home that the emotion of the game that people are going to be disappointed and frustrated and angry. Where we are in the league table, no-one is happy with. Whatever criticism comes I have to accept.
Why did you start with two fullbacks and why did Mason Mount not come on?
Well, we wanted to attack, we wanted to use Marc and Reece as two laterals, that’s where the space would be and they can construct attacks well. I thought we got some good opportunities from an attacking perspective, won the ball back, high as well. I think we had a 1v1 with Mischa a couple of times. It’s an error for the first goal and whenever there’s an error there’s always something you can do better. With Mason, I just felt we were there in the game. We made some attacking subs and wanted to see how it all landed. Mason is coming back and only had a couple of days training.
Quick turnaround for Liverpool, is that important?
Well, we’ve got no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have to respond and prepare for another big game. It’s as simple as that.
Were Mendy, Aubameyang, Zakaria, Ziyech and David Fofana?
All but Mendy were fit.
It was the tenth goal this season conceded from a corner, what is going wrong?
The one today is a strike from the edge of the box. If you look at the xG of the goal, it’s probably not that big a chance. It’s a great strike, second phase, edge of the box, these things can sometimes happen. In general we’ve made some improvement from the turn of the year. Clearly we need to improve, you only have to look at the league table to see that.
How worried are you about the defence?
That’s the thing we need to look at I think. Even though we had some opportunities ourselves and attacked well ourselves, we gave up too many opportunities. The one with Watkins is the one that sticks to mind. Apart from that, not too much. At the same time, that is too big a chance for us, we need to do better there and that’s on me and I have to take that responsibility.
What would you give for a striker like Didier Drogba or Diego Costa?
There’s nothing for me to say. I’ve got the players I have. They gave everything today, as much as we’re all disappointed with the result they did. The intent of the team was there, the attack was there but the scoreline is painful for us so there’s not too much I can say that seems positive.
Is the negativity from the fans transmitting to the players?
They’re professional footballers, they play for Chelsea, they understand the demand, they understand what it is, where we are, they’re not stupid. They accept the responsibility, they’re honest, they want to do better. We’re there fighting for each other and fighting together so there’s no complaints for how the supporters respond.
Some debate about which player was at fault for first goal. A mix-up between Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella?
It’s football, it’s one action, it can happen. A bit of a miscommunication I think. That’s something for me to take to responsibility for, for me to look at and do better with.
