Graham Potter believes he has done his best to make his late father proud after inspiring Brighton a thrilling 3-3 draw at West Ham.
Graham Potter said: ‘It has been tough getting through it. My father had a very short, aggressive battle with cancer and so whenever you witness that as a human being it is not pleasant. In the end it is nice that he is not suffering any more. It is difficult. Thankfully I have had a lot of support from people at the club, lots of messages and the players have been brilliant. It’s a tough time but he was proud of me and proud of what I did so it was my job to do it as well as I could for him. I’m not the first person to suffer like we have as a family. It’s part of life. He is proud of what I have achieved in my career and who I am as a person so it was important for me to act in that manner today and do it as best as I can since he passed on Thursday.”
Potter was informed of his father’s passing just before his pre-match press conference on Thursday but bravely conducted his media duties and led his side at the London Stadium.
Glenn Murray made his first Premier League start since mid-September and opened his league account for the season. His goal secured a 3-3 draw at West Ham. Premier League Museum had earlier mentioned how Glen Murray was not in Graham Potter’s plan for the season
Albion’s head coach Glenn Murray said “People speculate and the January window is for that. I have always said you understand players in that window have the right to see if there is a solution in terms of more game time. Glenn wanted to play but, at the same time, he has always been supportive of the team. He shows his character every day. I thought he showed what he brings to the team and I am really pleased for him. I’m proud of him because he has been able to condition himself and look after himself enough to do be able to do 90 minutes and contribute to a great team performance. We have had lots of honest conversations. He is 36 and he wants to play football but he has always said he wanted to be with Brighton, he wants to be with us and he wants to help the team. We both understand each other and I am delighted he can get on the pitch and help us.”
Graham Potter revealed he has had “lots of honest conversations” with his striker about the part he could play.
Graham Potter thought Albion could have won at West Ham. His side came from 3-1 down to secure a point but he felt they might have had more.
Albion’s head coach Graham Potter said: “I’m delighted. It’s only a point for us and we feel we played well enough to get three.But the type of performance, the character, the personality and also the quality. I don’t think it was lucky that we got back into the game, I don’t think it was lucky we got a point. I think the players felt we could have won the game. It wasn’t like we were hanging on and just got a lucky 3-3. I thought we were more deserved of that point.”
Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the permanent signing of teenage defender Tariq Lamptey for an undisclosed fee from Chelsea.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter said “We are really pleased to have secured the signing of a really exciting young talent in Tariq. I am now looking forward to working with Tariq on the training pitch to help him develop further, and I’m sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing him in an Albion shirt. With his pace and technical ability, Tariq provides us with another option on the right side of the pitch both at right-back, where we already have good competition, and also further up the pitch.”
The 19-year-old, who made his Premier League debut against Arsenal earlier this season, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal.
