Buckley: Albion are making good progress

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Former winger looks ahead to clash of two of his former clubs at the Amex on Saturday.

Luke Nicoli

2021-08-20T05:00:00Z

Will Buckley believes Albion can target mid-table this campaign.

Will Buckley says Albion can be the surprise package of the Premier League season as two of his former clubs go head-to-head at the Amex on Saturday.

The ex-Seagulls winger has been impressed with the impact made by head coach Graham Potter in the past couple of seasons, and believes the formula is in place to ensure his side are looking up rather than down this term.

“The team has certainly made progress these past two years, so I think the target should be mid-table at least,” said Buckley. “There is a system of play which all the players look happy and comfortable with, and that’s important to any winning team.

Graham Potter led the tributes after Dan Ashworth won the Premier League's Eamonn Dolan award

“These things don’t just happen overnight; it takes hours on the training ground to implement, but I think we can all see the style Graham Potter has impressed on his team.

“Brighton are a solid side, playing expansive, enjoyable football and can become an established Premier League side. There’s always one team that surprises people and there’s no reason why that can’t be Brighton this season.”

Buckley arrived at the Amex from Watford ahead of the 2011/12 season, for what was then a club record fee, and he is also pleased to see the Hornets back in the big time.

“For any team coming up from the Championship the aim for the first season has got to be survival and finding that balance of bringing in new players without hindering the group that did so well to get promotion,” he added.

Will Buckley made 109 appearances for Albion, scoring 19 goals.

“They did so well last season because there is such a difference between playing Premier League and Championship football. And they did so with a change of management during the season. The way they clicked back into gear despite the disappointment of going down was brilliant. Full credit to them.”

With both sides starting the current campaign with wins, it’s set to be a thriller at the Amex this Saturday, but how does Buckley see the game going?

“I think home advantage will be important,” he added. “I know what the Amex is like when it’s rocking, so to have the fans back will be special. It will be good to see both sides doing well this season but I expect Brighton to pick up the points.”