Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter says his Brighton defenders will be ready #BHAFC

That is despite a curtailed build-up to the first day of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign. Head coach Graham Potter has also told The Argus in our video (below) he was not banking on Leo Ostigard staying for the season when he said recently Albion did not necessarily need to sign any centre-backs. Potter made the comment after they beat Luton two weeks ago in the wake of Ben White's move to Arsenal when Ostigard was still on board.   Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster go into action at Burnley with less than one game of public pre-season action behind them. Albion had one of the best defensive records in the Prem last term. But the challenge is different now with Ben White having left and both Dunk and Webster coming off summers interrupted by minor injuries. Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “They have had time outside the public eye, if you like. “Knowing them they are ready for it, they are looking forward to it. They know the challenge, they know it’s a big challenge. “It was important to get the time on the pitch against Getafe and they have had a good week’s training so they will be looking forward to the game.” Albion have only played three friendlies before fans or live-stream cameras. The disjointed summer has impacted on others, such as Leandro Trossard. But most eyes will be on the two centre-backs as the foundation of Albion’s new season. BRIGHTON FAN SO GLAD TO RECONNECT ON RETURN TO AWAY TRIPS Potter said: “We have had 11 v 11 matches, games in-house behind closed doors. “We have done our best to get them up to where they are and they will get better and better as the season goes on, I’m pretty sure. They are ready for the start.”
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter admits it will be a big ask for #FlorinAndone to play in the Premier League #BHAFC

Graham Potter admits it is going to be a big ask for Florin Andone to get minutes in the Premier League following his serious knee injury. The 28-year-old only returned from a ruptured cruciate ligament injury in April, before then suffering a hamstring injury 14 minutes into his return to action for the U23s against Southampton. During pre-season the striker featured in all three of their friendlies coming on a substitute against Rangers, Luton and on Saturday at the Amex when they faced La Liga side Getafe. But Potter has admitted it is going to be a tough for the striker to make the step up from his rehab to playing in the Prem. Albion’s head coach said: “It has been good, nice for him to be healthy is the main thing for him, for us and for everybody because he has had a lot of time out. “He has battled back from a serious knee injury, so we have had to be careful with him and build him up in a good way. “He has got time on the pitch which has been important for him, but he is the stage now where we have to think about how we get more minutes for him, more game time for him because it is a big ask to go from what he has been through in terms of his rehab to getting minutes in the Premier League. “But he is available, he is training, he is in a good place, so I am pleased for him that he is back healthy.”
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter provides pre season insight after Brighton’s loss to Getafe #BHAFC

There is one plus to the somewhat against-the-clock nature of the pre-season Albion are just completing. If those of us who follow them closely on a daily basis are not totally sure how they will look at Burnley, what chance does Sean Dyche have? Graham Potter’s side played a bit of catch-up with three key men in the final friendly of the summer. Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster came back after minor injuries and Leandro Trossard buzzed and fizzed in the second half. But it feels like Albion have busy days ahead of them at Lancing before opening their fifth Prem campaign at Turf Moor on Saturday. Certainly they will need to display the purpose, urgency and energy which were on show in the second half against their Spanish opponents. Getafe won the contest with two free-kick goals and some streetwise defending. Their movement and passing caused the hosts problems at times in the first half. Their goalkeeper David Soria caused them frustration in the second. Ironically, the first goal by the men from the Madrid satellite town had a bit of Burnley about it. A cheaply won free-kick out wide which was delivered at pace and turned home by defender Erick Cabaco. The second, against the run of play, was an exquisite curler over the wall by David Timor. But it came from a free-kick conceded just outside the box, centrally, when Albion should have cleared the danger following a Robert Sanchez save. There was some good stuff going forward in the second half as Albion swarmed towards a quarter-full but very enthusiastic North Stand Trossard turned on trickery and gave the whole thing a lift. But we know he can do that – and it does not necessarily mean he will do it again in the next match. Dunk and Webster will be pillars at Turf Moor. In a three with Joel Veltman? That was at least how things started on Saturday. If so, is Enock Mwepu the wing-back option? He has done well in pre-season but, although he found lots of space in that area early on, it does not seem his best role. Adam Lallana has looked as good you would hope for in pre-season and was applauded off as an array of substitutions were made. He was instrumental playing at the front of a diamond at Luton but dropped deeper and made things tick here. A fit and on-form Lallana will be massive for Albion but in which role? He isn’t really being talked about too much but the form and fitness of Solly March is another plus given he is coming back from quite a lengthy injury absence. Aaron Connolly led the attack and, while that may not be the case in the Prem opener, it is worth remembering he caused Burnley a few problems in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor last season and scored on his previous visit. Trossard would appear to have given himself more chance of a start in East Lancs than Alexis Mac Allister, who was a surprise inclusion for the first 45 minutes. Many teams are a bit behind where they would normally be this pre-season. That appeared to be the case for Burnley as they lost 2-0 to Cadiz on Saturday. But a pattern of not scoring against a very well-organised team packed in low (around former Albion target Ignasi Miquel in this case) and of conceding to a set-piece was a reminder of the battles ahead. Potter said: “I thought we got the minutes we wanted to, especially with Dunky and Webby and even Joel. “That was positive. Everybody else stepped up as well and, against a well-organised side who are starting on Friday, it was a relatively decent game. “Obviously in the second half we were better than we were in the first half. “There are things to do, things to work on, but we will have a couple of days analysing everything and prepare for the game against Burnley.” Percy Tau appears set to join the list of departures and talk of signings will continue. Especially up front. Summer signing Mwepu has made a midfield impression and has some energy about him. Potter said: “He has got that in abundance. He brings us that little bit of something different. “He hits the box, he can play in numerous positions and we need to find out the best one for us given the game. “He did really well as a first match here, he scored against Luton, so he will give us a bit of versatility give us some options. “He will get better and we will get better the more he is here with us.” Soria, who had unsuccessful trials at Leicester, Birmingham and Stoke as a youngster, seemed to get a touch on a searing angled effort by Mwepu which would have seen him add to his strike at Kenilworth Road. LEWIS DUNK CAN'T SEE HIMSELF LEAVING BRIGHTON The keeper’s best save was to tip over as Trossard went on a dribble, lost the ball, won it back again and then curled towards the top corner. He also blocked a Veltman blast and got his foot to a very late Trossard effort. The closest Albion came was at 1-0 down when the big two at the back rumbled forward for a set-piece. BRIGHTON HOPE FOR MORE LEANDRO TROSSARD MAGIC Dunk seemed to be the blocker as Pascal Gross whipped a free-kick in from the right. Webster was in space and climbed high but his header came down off the bar, with Dunk then unable to get good contact on his follow-up shot. GRAHAM POTTER SAYS BRIGHTON DESERVED TO SCORE AGAINST GETAFE Maupay was involved in a late incident with defender Chema and was booked for a foul off the ball. Tempers flared at that point and it all got a bit feisty. The match was not quite as friendly as billed in that instance and one or two others. But that’s fine. It needed to be competitive at this stage of summer. The final pre-season outing has left a bit to think about. Albion: Sanchez; Veltman (Ostigard 89), Dunk (Moder 79), Webster (Duffy 79); Mwepu (Zeqii 89), Gross (Richards 79), Bissouma (Andone 89), Lallana (Alzate 67), March (Karbownik 89); Mac Allister (Trossard 46); Connolly (Maupay 67). Attendance: 7,091.
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- Brighton’s #EnockMwepu earns praise from #GrahamPotter #BHAFC

Enock Mwepu has been backed to keep improving after a bright start to life with Albion. The summer signing from Salzburg showed signs of quality and versatility as the Seagulls lost to Getafe. He looks a certain starter when the Premier League season gets under way at Burnley on Saturday. Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “He brings us that little bit of something different. “He hits the box, he can play in numerous positions and we need to find out the best one for us given the game. BUSY NIGHT FOR NEW PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE AS BRIGHTON PLAY GETAFE “He did really well as a first match here, he scored against Luton, so he will give us a bit of versatility give us some options. “He will get better and we will get better the more he is here with us.”
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter says Brighton happy to take on Getafe at Amex #BHAFC

The perils of arranging international friendly action in current circumstances was underlined yesterday. That was when Aston Villa had to cancel their fixture at home to Sevilla. The LaLiga Santander side pulled out due to Covid concerns, denying Villa income plus a key date in their build-up to the Premier League season. Albion begin their second decade at the Amex with a visit from a Getafe side coached by Michel, a stylish provider of tempting crosses from the right during his distinguished playing days with Real Madrid and Spain. Albion boss Graham Potter is in no doubt as to value of this evening’s fixture. He said: “It’s an important game for us as it’s our last friendly before the new season. “We want to try and improve on the Luton performance and the more minutes we can get into the players before Burnley the better, that’s why it’s a game we are looking forward to. “Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard are all available having been unavailable for the last two games. “They have done a lot of work behind closed doors and in training and we will use Saturday to build things up.” Clearly Getafe were not the List A choice Albion had in mind as they planned a special event to mark ten years at their stadium. Months of discussions had taken place with their intended guests and contracts were ready. But the club concerned were not prepared to travel to the United Kingdom at this time. Albion are very pleased to have secured Getafe quite late in the day. Added intrigue is added by the fact the Seagulls are currently trying to sign their opponents’ prize asset Marc Cucurella. SKY SPORTS EYE BEN WHITE'S RETURN TO THE AMEX Juancar Navacerrada, who covers Getafe for Marca, says it is an important fixture for the visitors. He told The Argus: “It’s the last match of pre-season and Getafe will try to play an XI similar to that which plays against Valencia next Friday. “But it is also a match in which they will take care of playing time with the start of the league so close.” Getafe were not far above the drop zone last season. But Navacerrada believes they will offer a tougher test that some Albion fans might expect thanks to Michel’s arrival in charge. He said: “It will be a completely different Getafe to that of the last five years. “They will give more importance to possession of the ball, although they will maintain the intensity they had under former boss Jose Bordalas. “There is no doubt Getafe are building a good side.” One of the men to watch is no stranger to the Amex. Wideman Vitolo, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, played for Sevilla at the Amex six years ago. But one familiar figure to some at Albion will not be present. Former Albion under-23s prospect Jack Harper is a Getafe player but little has been seen of him. He was a rising star when he arrived at the Seagulls in 2015. He has been loaned out to Racing Santander for the coming season, Navacerrada said: “Harper is an operation I don’t understand, personally. “He has been at Getafe for three years without playing a single minute. GRAHAM POTTER GLAD TO SEE BRIGHTON FANS RETURN “He arrived and has always been out on loan. “To be honest, I don’t think he will ever play for Getafe.” Serbian international centre-back Stefan Mitrovic is being tipped as one of the potential surprises of the league this season. Central midfielder Carlos Alena is another who might take the eye at the Amex. He has just signed a five-year deal after coming through the ranks at Barcelona.
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter verdict as Brighton beat Luton in friendly #BHAFC

Graham Potter has given Albion's latest pre-season run out his seal of approval. Fine finishes from Aaron Connolly, Enock Mwepu and Percy Tau secured a 3-1 win at Luton. Harry Cornick brought the Hatters back in the contest at 2-1 just before the interval after a poor pass by Dan Burn. Albion boss Potter said: “I thought we played well in the first half especially, we controlled the game, created some good chances and scored some good goals. “I was really pleased for Enock to get off the mark. Disappointed in their goal, which was from an error, which makes the start of the second half a little bit more competitive. “It is something we just have to accept and learn from but, in the end, our response was good and it was nice for Percy to score. DANNY WELBECK COULD MISS START OF PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON “In the end there were lots of young players and players on the pitch getting minutes. It was a really good afternoon for us.” Albion used 22 players, including 80 minutes for centre-back Shane Duffy. Albion: Sanchez (Steele 46); Veltman (Karbownik 46), Duffy (Tsoungui 80), Burn (Ostigard 58), March (Zeqiri 64); Bissouma (Gross 64), Mwepu (Leonard 68), Moder (Tau 46), Lallana (Richards 64); Connolly (Alzate 46), Maupay (Andone 46).
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter on why #DannyWelbeck did not feature against Rangers #BHAFC

Albion head coach Graham Potter has revealed the reason why Danny Welbeck did not feature in their friendly against Rangers yesterday. The 30-year-old striker was named in the Seagulls second half 11 and was set to play alongside Florin Andone up top. The teams are back out at Ibrox. 💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Here's our second half XI! 📝 pic.twitter.com/X0YrHiWaFW — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 24, 2021 However, Welbeck never emerged for the second half and Under-23's defender James Furlong took his place on the field. But Potter revealed that Welbeck had a slight feeling and they did not want to risk him. He said: "I need to speak to Danny and the physios. "He litterally just had a feeling before he was about to come on, so we didn't want to take any chances, we are at that stage where we don't want to take chances. "So we will see how he goes but hopefully nothing to worry about."
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- Brighton to host Getafe ahead of Premier League season #BHAFC

The clubs will meet at the Amex on Saturday, August 7 (7pm). The Seagulls are currently hoping to sign ‘Geta’ star Marc Cucurella. The match will be Albion’s final workout before they start their Premier League season. Their attempts to stage a prestigious home date against overseas opponents have been hindered by Covid-related restrictions. Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “We have a really good programme lined up with some behind-closed-doors and in-house games. "We will kick off at Rangers, with a match to be confirmed in between, before rounding off with a really good game at the Amex against Getafe.” Ticket and full match details will be announced in due course, along with travel arrangements, but the club expects there to be no limits on capacity. Tickets will be priced from £15 for adults, £10 for under-21s and over-65s, and £5 for under-18s in general admission areas of the stadium. Travel will not be included in the ticket price but near-site parking will be available to buy and Albion might open a park-and-ride site.
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- Brighton sign #KjellScherpen from Ajax #BHAFC

The 21-year-old made four first team appearances for the Amsterdam giants  last season and arrives on undisclosed terms. Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kjell to the club. "He’s a player we have been monitoring for a while and we see him as a player with a lot of the right attributes. BRIGHTON TO PLAY GETAFE IN PRE-SEASON “As well as his size, he is someone we think will work very hard to improve all aspects of his game as he gets used to English football. “We wish him all the best and look forward to working with him.”
Danny Welbeck

#PLStories- Brighton striker #DannyWelbeck signs new deal #BHAFC

The former England striker has signed a new one-year deal. He was a big hit with the Seagulls last term after signing as a free agent a few weeks into the campaign. His performances attracted interest from elsewhere this summer but the Seagulls have kept their man. Head coach Graham Potter said: “We’re delighted that he’s with us for next season. “Danny has demonstrated what is expected of a top professional from the moment he arrived here. As soon as the season finished, extending his stay at the club was a top priority. FORMER BRIGHTON BOSS OSCAR GARCIA SECURES NEW JOB IN FRANCE “He is a brilliant role model to have around the place and his experience at the very top end of the game is invaluable for helping us continuing to improve as a team.”
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #DavyPropper leaves Brighton to re-join PSV Eindhoven #BHAFC

Brighton midfielder Davy Propper has ended his four-year stint on the South Coast and re-joined his former side PSV Eindhoven for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old joined Albion in August 2017 and was a regular in the Albion starting XI in his first three years with the club making 95 appearances in the Premier League. But a number of injuries saw him make just 11 appearances in all competitions last season. In total the Dutch international made 121 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring twice.  He was also part of the Seagulls side that reached the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley in 2019, before being beaten by the eventual winners Manchester City. Head coach Graham Potter said: “Davy has been great to work with during my two years here and he has played an important role in maintaining the club’s Premier League status since he joined the club. “He is well thought of around the club and it was frustrating for both him and I that he had a number of setbacks with injuries last season. "This move gives him the chance to hopefully play more regularly and we wish him the best of luck with his future career."
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter on #NealMaupay spat with referee #JonathanMoss #BHAFC

So now we know what Neal Maupay said to Jon Moss at Molineux. The full extent to which Albion’s striker lost his cool after the recent defeat at Wolves was spelt out in an FA report this week. The Seagulls are working to help their striker control his emotions at all times. But boss Graham Potter has revealed it might take a while to be where they need to be. Albion will be under Moss’s watchful eye for a third successive game when they go the Emirates. He reffed their defeat at Molineux and was VAR for the midweek win over Manchester City. Maupay will not be involved. Not directly because of his red card but rather his subsequent reaction which led to a further one-game ban. JOSE IZQUIERDO SUFFERS ANOTHER SETBACK Asked whether Albion were working to help their striker keep his emotions in check, Potter told The Argus: “We are and it’s an ongoing process. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen overnight. “You have got to make changes, you have got to do some work. “You have got to understand there is a possibility that can happen. “But then I think it is about how you manage everything daily. “It’s competition, it’s emotions. Sometimes the blood is rushing and you’ve got adrenaline and things happen. “That is part of football but it’s about managing it and keeping it under control. “In fairness to Neal, he has done that quite well over a period of time. “But, as he said and as we say, that time it wasn’t good and not acceptable and we had to accept the punishment and own up to it and try to improve.” The FA report was published just two days after Potter himself suffered an unprecedented loss of cool in his celebration of Albion’s first goal against Manchester City. Potter has admitted he made a mistake but will at least be able to empathise with Maupay. But then can’t we all if we think back? Potter said: “You sometimes forget they are human beings, they are young guys. “I don’t know what you were like when you were 24. “When I was 24, I was a lesser version of what I am now, that’s for sure. “You will make mistakes and it is just then how you respond to that. That’s the key. “If you can respond and say ‘Yeah, that wasn’t good’, own up and then try to do something about it, it’s an ongoing process.” Potter quickly apologised to Pep Guardiola for his own faux pas and revealed he has followed that up. He said: “We spoke after the game and I have got in touch through their guys to reiterate my apologies to them. “It wasn’t a great action from me. “Emotions got the better of me and caught up with me in the game. “As I have proven, I am a human being, not a robot, who is capable of making mistakes. “Hopefully they can judge me over a 46-year life, not a one-second action.”          
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter pleased with Albion’s progress on the pitch #BHAFC

Graham Potter is pleased with the progress Albion have made as he celebrates two years in charge of the club. The Seagulls had just survived the drop in the Prem under previous manager Chris Hughton, when Potter took charge on May 20, 2019. Since coming in the 46-year-old has guided them to two consecutive 41-point finishes, with a game still to go in this campaign. This season they secured their safety in record time with three games to spare, meaning they can look forward to a record five successive season in the top flight. As Potter prepares for his side for their final game of the season against Arsenal, he believes they have made good progress. He said: “Sometimes it’s hard to reflect back when you’re in the middle of games, but when I do reflect back and think where the club was two years ago on the pitch, I am really pleased. “It’s difficult to come in and change things around in the Premier League because results are hard to get and if you don’t get them, then you can be thrown off course. “We’ve managed to stay relatively ok. We’ve had two lots of 41 points and this time round we’ve got a game to try and beat it. That’s really positive, the performance of the team has improved a lot. “The thing we need to try and get better is the points to match our performances. That’s football and the margins are quite small, especially at this level. “But I look at the individuals we’ve introduced, some younger players and academy players that gives us a chance going forward.” Potter also picked out the highlight of his tenure so far. He said: "It’s hard to look past Tuesday night to be honest. "The Arsenal game – the first one after lockdown, was really important. "But when there are no supporters it maybe isn’t the same. "The fact that the crowd were in for Manchester City was amazing. "There were 8000 people that were committed to the game, happy to be there watching live football, supporting the team, appreciating the quality on the pitch. "To get the win in that way, it was a fantastic evening. I can’t look too far past that.
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #JoseIzquierdo ruled out of Albion trip to Arsenal #BHAFC

Jose Izquierdo has been hit by another injury setback. It could be the last of his troubled time with Albion as he nears the end of his current contract. The Colombia winger has been absent from the matchday 20 for the last two games and that will not change at Arsenal on Sunday. Izquierdo had one outing as sub at Sheffield United after his two-year absence due to knee operations. But he has not appeared again since and there must now be major doubts over his future with the Seagulls. Head coach Graham Potter said: “He won’t be available for the weekend. “We are looking into it at the moment but it’s a problem with his quad.” Joel Veltman and Davy Propper are again ruled out with Neal Maupay still suspended. But Lewis Dunk returns from a two-match ban. Potter said: “It’s good to have him back. “He was in a fantastic moment of form so it’s great for him to be able to finish the season on the pitch. “We’ve got a few missing. Whichever team we have, we will be competitive and will try our best.”
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter is unsure what to expect as Albion fans return to the Amex #BHAFC

Albion head coach Graham Potter is not sure what to expect when fans return to the Amex tomorrow night to see them face the Premier League champions Manchester City (7pm). 8,000 Seagulls supporters will be in attendance as they face Pep Guardiola’s side in their penultimate game of the season. However, Potter knows it is going to be a momentous ocassion. He said: "It is (going to be a good day). "It's going to be strange, emotional I don’t know how it is going to be. "We have been away from the supporters for so long, you don't even get a feel for what they think really but we have just been trying to carry on winning games and we have missed that feedback you usually get with them in the ground “Supporters have made it quite clear when they are not happy and when they are happy and that is the beauty of football. "So we have missed that a lot and I don't think we could have asked for a better game to play to be honest. “Man City, the champions, the best team and hopefully everyone can come down and enjoy live football, which is wonderful." Potter was asked if he has had to remind his players about playing the game and not the occasion? To which he replied: "Well I think they are human beings, that have missed the crowd for a long time and we hope there is that connection between the fans and the players because that is the best thing about football. “You only have to see how the home advantage has disappeared without them a crowd pretty much which does not surprise me at all. “We hope that when we get there we can play well enough to get the crowd into the game. “I’m sure they will be supportive, but it helps them if we play well. So that is what we will try to do. “The emotion of the crowd and the emotion of the game is something we have missed. "So that is going to be interesting to see because both teams will have to adapt to the crowd again because we have been without them for so long and that is going to be interesting to factor that no one knows how it is going to go.
Graham Potter Brighton

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter says draw is a fair result against West Ham #BHAFC

Albion head coach Graham Potter felt a draw was a fair result for Albion as they were held by West Ham at the Amex. The Seagulls took the lead in the 84th minute through Danny Welbeck, but a late strike from substitute Said Benrahma meant West Ham took a point back to London. But Potter felt a point was a fair reflection of the game. He said: "You are always a little bit disappointed when you are 1-0 up with not so long to go. "But at the same time I think over the course of the game a draw is a fair result. "I cannot say we deserved necessarily anything more. "I thought West Ham were better than us in the first half, they created some more danger than we did. "But we were okay in the first half, we were better in the second half but overall the boys did well."