Summer signings important – but keeping Potter more so
Brighton may have missed out on qualification for the fifth round of the FA Cup when losing to Tottenham, but that should not impact on Graham Potter and his Seagulls team one bit.
This 2021-22 season remains an impressive one and the challenge now is to capitalise on that success by finishing as high as possible, making substantial additions in the summer and most important of all – keeping their promising head coach at the Amex.
There are two sides to think of when looking at 2021-22 so far. The obvious one is that Brighton are having arguably the best season in their history, in league position and picking up significant results against stronger teams.
The other side is related to that poor three month spell when the Seagulls went over 90 days from September onwards without a win. Imagine how a great season could have become even greater without that long run of no victories.
However, not many games were lost during that three month period. And everyone recognises that Brighton can compete with every opponent in the Premier League.
They have never given up at any point, always trying to play in their own way. We saw that at Anfield. We saw it at Stamford Bridge and we had it confirmed against Chelsea again when the Blues came to the Amex.
All of those are matches which at first seemed to be “going wrong”, Brighton left behind in the score but in the end managing not to lose.
Against Liverpool, they turned a 2-0 disadvantage into a 2-2 draw. They even scored a third past Jurgen Klopp’s side, unfortunately correctly disallowed.
Away at Chelsea it was Danny Welbeck who led the celebrations when his equalising goal made it 1-1. Adam Webster did the same in the home game against the European Champions when Brighton were closer to three points than their opponents.
Brighton have drawn 0-0 with Arsenal. They have won 3-2 at Everton. Overall, they have the seventh best away record in the Premier League with 16 points from 11 games. This surpasses both Tottenham and Arsenal.
This excellent league record raised expectations for the FA Cup game against Spurs. Such has been the job done by Potter that Seagulls supporters felt they could go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and win.
In this case, the game did not go in the Albion’s favour. Two goals separated by only 11 minutes in the first half put Spurs in control.
Brighton did get one back thanks to Yves Bissouma. Before they could look for a draw, Harry Kane scored his second and Tottenham’s third only two minutes after Bissouma struck.
It is worth saying again that Brighton fans were disappointed by defeat at Spurs because Potter has turned the Seagulls into a side who fear no-one.
That is a sign of the excellent job Potter has done since taking over in 2019. Unlike some, he does not appear to have given a second thought about the possibility of leaving.
Newcastle United were interested in Potter, as were Everton. Every time he is linked with joining another club, his immediate answer is that he wants to continue his work with Brighton.
If Brighton finished in the top six, more Premier League rivals are sure to look at Potter for their own clubs. Summer signings will be important for the Seagulls, but keeping Potter even more so.
Can the board convince him to sign a new contract? Doing so would mean that Brighton’s development keeps moving upwards and the club continues to grow.
Brighton might not be making the FA Cup Final as they did in 1983 – but they are constantly improving and Potter is the reason.
Keep their English manager and purchase new players to improve his squad and Wembley trips like that one nearly 40 years ago will not be far away.
Players like Marc Cucurella, Neal Maupay, Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Bissouma are delivering for Potter. Even if one or two are sold, Brighton can cope as they did when Ben White left. Could Brighton cope however if it was the manager leaving?
“Trust the process” is a well-used phrase, but with Potter it is true. Brighton owe it to themselves to do everything they can to keep him at the Amex as that can be a boost as big as any new signings.
Dimitris Manakos @dimitris_manakos
