Graham Potter has been at the club for 18 months now, so it’s time to analyse how his methods have affected this Brighton squad.
Graham Potter was hired in the May of 2018, following the sacking of previous manager Chris Hughton. Having dragged Brighton up through the Championship, and helping them retain their Premier League status in the subsequent years, Tony Bloom and other senior members at the club came to the decision that the playstyle operated by Hughton and his players did not fit their long term vision for the club.
So, why was Graham Potter the man for the job.
Well, Potter only started coaching in 2011, after being signed on a 3-year deal by Norwegian outfit Ostersund, who, at the time, were playing in the 4th division in the national league system. In his first two seasons at the club, Graham Potter completely revolutionised the football, securing back to back promotions. As a result of his achievements, Potter signed a contract extension, and in 2015, secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s history. The club performed well in their first season, finishing 8th, with pundits applauding their ‘slick passing game’. Ring any bells?
Potter’s masterclass didn’t stop there, however. After winning the Svenska Cup in 2017, Ostersund were entered into the second qualifying round of the Europa League, where they beat Turkish Giants Galatasaray, Fola Esch and PAOK to qualify for the tournament.
This unbelievable transfiguration of a football club prompted freshly relegated Swansea to secure his services, and Potter brought his playstyle with him. Crisp passing and threatening attacks became natural to Swansea, and, understandably, meant Potter attracted serious attention from teams in the Premier League. After just one season at the Liberty, Brighton snatched up the hot property, and we haven’t looked back since.
So why are some Brighton fans calling for Potter to face the chop?
On one hand, the ‘Potter Out’ fans seem to have a point. Clearly, in terms of points and our finishing position in the league, it would appear as though not much has changed at all. Brighton looked solid at the back during the Hughton era, and you could argue that we look less competent under Potter. However, this is where the argument ends.
Potter has revolutionised the football club. That much is undeniable. The way this current Brighton team play is utterly oxymoronic to the years of Hughton, with possession-based football and creative expression irrefutably encouraged, compared to the deep lying and counter-attacking football played previously.
And these changes can be seen objectively through statistics. Last season, Graham Potter increased Brighton’s average possession to 51.7%, up from 44.1% in Hughton’s last year of his reign. Pass completion also increased by 6.2%, as Potter heavily encourages playing out from the back, portrayed by Maty Ryan making the most short passes of any goalkeeper in the league in the 19/20 season.
It is possible that fans unsatisfied with Potter in charge will argue that the team do not score enough goals. Of course, ‘scoring enough goals’ is awfully subjective, but it’s easy to see their point of view. I’d argue it’s impossible for Graham Potter to score a goal, and therefore it is entirely down to the players to convert the extra chances that his tactics create.
A lot of fans also forget that this type of play takes years to perfect. The fact that this current Brighton squad can be compared to Hughton’s side in terms of points shows how the team are still learning to play more expansively.
Personally, I believe Potter has worked wonders so far in his time on the South Coast. Sure, we might not fully understand his ways (cue Robert Sanchez) but there’s believe in this Brighton side now. We’re not just a relegation scrapping, park the bussing, counter-attacking team. We ooze flair, emanate confidence and express creativity.
So thank you, Graham Potter, thank you!