Defeat to City but plenty to take forward
Graham Potter made the brave choice to take the game to Manchester City on Saturday, and while 4-0 might suggest he failed dramatically, there is plenty Brighton could take home from the Etihad Stadium.
It took just 71 seconds for the home side to get in front, and they never looked like the result was going to go any other way.
Despite that, Brighton showed great courage playing the Potter way and the respect shown to him by Pep Guardiola afterwards is perhaps a positive sign for the rest of the season.
The Seagulls have taken four points from four games so far this season and sit 16th in the table, but despite that are slowly removing themselves from the favourites to go down.
The betting exchanges have been interesting over the past few weeks as people discuss the job in which Potter will do, with many now looking to lay bets against their original to go down wager.
Most betting exchanges list the likes of Burnley and Watford as below Brighton in the favourites to go down following their struggling start to the season, with Newcastle United, Norwich City and Sheffield United as favourites.
That’s largely down to how Potter has shaped his side over the summer. Defeat against Southampton certainly set them back but they reacted well against Manchester City despite the result.
Potter said following the game, “The result is not something we are enjoying, of course, but the performance of the players I thought was one of real courage. Some good play and their application to try to do what we asked them to do was fantastic.”
Good performances will have to be turned into three points over the next few games though with Burnley and Newcastle next up, two games which will either push the side right up the table or leave them playing catch up.
The international break comes first, which is perhaps ideal timing given the importance of what’s to come, and a good fortnight of training could be instrumental as the former Swansea Curt manager tries to implement his style further.
There’s no doubt what he’s doing will be beneficial to keep the club in the Premier League and so far the team have responded well to Potter’s methods.
The style is there and with key fixtures approaching substance is also vital, something they exuded against Watford but less so against Southampton, although they did spend the final hour with 10 men.
The journey continues with a big September for the club, and with some big points on offer in October too, things could be looking very positive indeed in terms of Premier League survival.
