Potter: I've always felt the club's support

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Head coach happy with the backing he's had at the Albion.

Charlie Hanson

2021-11-20T05:00:00Z

Saturday's game will also mark Potter's 400th game as a boss, having previously been in charge at Ostersunds and Swansea.

Graham Potter has said he was always confident he would be given time in his role as Albion head coach as he approaches his 100th game in charge.

The 46-year-old has been with the club since May 2019 and said there’s never been a point where he’s felt his job is under threat.

“Noise from outside is different to what you experience internally. I've always felt the support of the players, the staff, the chairman, the board and the majority of the supporters I’ve met.

“But in the world we’re in, there’s always somebody who has to be under pressure or not doing so well, and if the results aren’t going that well, then it’s how it is.

"At the same time, we knew it was a process, we knew where we were at, we knew the performance of the team could carry on improving.

“I don’t tend to think too much about that negative aspect of the outside world. Just like now, when it’s more positive, I don’t pay attention to that either. There’s always a bit in between. I don’t think you’re ever as good as people think you are when you’re going well, and you’re never as bad as people think you are when you’re not going so well.

“If you can keep that perspective, you’re generally okay in the middle.”

While Saturday’s game will mark Potter’s century in the Albion dugout, it will be opposing boss Steven Gerrard's first match as Villa boss.

Steven Gerrard on the training ground

“I think Steven has done really well. It's not easy when you are a top player like he was to take a step into management.

“We have to understand that just because you used to be a top player doesn't mean that automatically you will be a top manager. You have to go through a process and that's what he's done – good steps in the Liverpool academy and then he’s done a fantastic job at Rangers, winning the league and gaining experience.”