Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
I've questioned Potter a number of times, but if you look back on this thread I didn't call for his head. Merely pointed out the obvious that the tactics weren't suiting the players in that run of defeats.
This is why I'm quite encouraged by the squad this season. Although Cucurella is a big miss we've got in two players to cover him who look like they can play the GP way. We'll be a bit screwed if Welbeck has to miss some of our next games but I suspect Undav and Ferguson will at least be able to cover soon. Ostensibly we've lost our holding midfielder, the most expensive full back in the world and our top scorer. In reality Colwell and Van Hecke are stronger cover than Duffy (though perhaps not Burn) and Estupinan / Trossard to cover the left wing back should be good most of the time and our starting midfield looks better. GP's comments re Maupay suggest that their relationship was difficult and I understand why he's gone.
I think with Potter and brighton the last few years it has all been about development and trying things out. We've been blooding new players constantly, trying different formations and tactics, and not everything worked. He would always pursue an idea or a player for several games rather than giving up after one attempt - didn't always work, we can remember the run of three games playing a false 9 last autumn (Liverpool, Newcastle, Villa) although he brought it back later in the season at Spurs when it did. The winless stretches were part of that determination to try things and develop on the pitch. I wasn't surprised that he gave Mwepu another game on Saturday rather than just dropping him after Fulham.
The difference this season is that we're now more settled and very experienced. The Man U line up on opening day was 10 players that have been with us for a long time plus Caicedo, with experience running right through it - Dunk, Veltman, Gross, Lallana, March, Welbeck, Trossard are all PL veterans now. In six games our starting line ups have been from just 13 players with only Pervis new to the squad (forced by the unwanted sale of Cucu). This is what he has been working towards, this could be the season with Brighton where he shows what he's all about, quite possibly his valedictory season. Early days but so enjoyable.