When Graham Potter took over at Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the 2019/20 season, he took over a side that was low on confidence. They had only narrowly avoided relegation, which ultimately led to the sacking of Chris Hughton.
While the Seagulls only won five more points than they did in the 2018/19 campaign, winning the same amount of games in the process, progress was evident under their new manager. That progress will only continue into the new season.
Progress Was Evident Under Graham Potter at Brighton & Hove Albion
Stats Show Transition Was Made
Potter’s style of play – known as ‘Potterball’ – is similar to those deployed by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl. Their teams look to make short passes and press with high intensity when the ball is lost.
There was always going to be change when the 45-year-old took over from Hughton. It was a case of two contrasting styles – Hughton’s defensive and long-ball style vs Potter’s dynamic and modern tactics.
However, nobody expected the change to be as evident as it was. For example, Brighton’s possession statistics rose dramatically. In Hughton’s last season, the Seagulls averaged 44.1% possession, an average that only put them in 17th place.
Last season under Potter, however, it was a different story. They averaged 51.7%, an average that was only beaten by five of the top six, as well as Arsenal.
Progress did not stop there either. Their pass completion rate rose by 6.2%; Potter’s side made over 100 more shorter passes per game than Hughton’s; their shots per game rose to 12.2 from 9.8. They also scored eight more goals from open play last season than in the 2018/19 campaign.
The progress was evident, and it is only likely to continue.
Progress on the Pitch Helped Developed Younger Players
Potter’s modern and dynamic style of play has seen a host of young players reap the rewards.
The Brighton manager handed debuts to a total of 13 players under the 2019/20 season. While nine of those came in a single game, a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the EFL Cup, it shows the progress can happen both on and off the pitch.
Of those 13, four of those have made their way into the first-team. While Alexis Mac Allister and Tariq Lamptey both joined the club midway through the season, Steven Alzate and Aaron Connolly have both developed through the academy.
Connolly was the more regular of the two, making 27 appearances in total. He scored four goals during that time, including a superb curling finish against Tottenham.
It was a stark contrast from the days of Hughton, and Brighton will only continue to reap the rewards.
Keeping Faith Paid Off
From matchday 11 through to matchday 29, the Seagulls only won two of their 18 games.
There were times their 45-year-old manager could have easily been sacked, allowing the club to change direction for the short-term goal of preventing relegation.
Instead, they kept faith in Potter. Eventually, he steered the ship in the right direction, winning three and drawing three of their last nine games to avoid a return to the Championship.
During that run, which was flanked by wins over Norwich City and Arsenal, and also lasted seven months due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Brighton surrendered six points from winning positions. While only one of those games ended in defeat – a 2-1 loss away to Tottenham – it shows how different the season could have been for the South Coast side.
Potter, though, never changed his ways. The same style of play remained throughout. Ultimately, the faith paid off for Brighton, and it will only help them in the future.
A First Win at The Emirates the Highlight of the Season
For a season that only saw the Seagulls collect nine wins, there were several highlights.
There was a 3-0 demolition of Tottenham at the Amex Stadium, as well as late goals against Chelsea and West Ham United to take a share of the points.
However, the highlight has to be doing the double over Arsenal, a double that included their first win at The Emirates.
It was a well-deserved win for Brighton too. They went toe-to-toe with the Gunners and held their own throughout much of the game.
Potter’s side took the lead ten minutes before half-time through Adam Webster, who poked home after a scramble in the box.
Arsenal then equalised through an Alexandre Lacaztte header. However, Brighton then stole the three points with ten minutes left to play, as Neal Maupay found himself in empty space to head home.
Player of the Season – Lewis Dunk
The ever-dependable Dunk can be once again accredited with being the Seagulls’ player of the season.
The Brighton captain continuous to remain ever-present at the heart of defence. Last season saw him miss just two league games, an impressive record for any player.
His stats remain continuous too. Dunk won 28 tackles, only slightly down on his 2018/19 figure; however, he was playing in a more defensive side under Hughton.
However, his pressing statistics rose, running in tandem with the style of play that Potter is trying to implement. The 28-year-old pressed the opposition 248 times, winning 107 of those battles.
The fact that Brighton have kept hold of a defender his quality for this long pays testament to the strides that they have made as a club.
What Does the Future Hold?
There is a lot to be excited about at the Amex Stadium.
Developments are being made both on and off the pitch; ambitions have been made clear by Potter, and the club are already planning on how they can break into the top half next season.
The additions of Adam Lallana and Joel Veltman from Liverpool and Ajax retrospectively will have already excited fans. Further additions will only continue to excite those on the South Coast.
The future certainly looks bright for Brighton & Hove Albion under Graham Potter.
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