Potter: Last year's experience can help us

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Head coach says mood is positive ahead of Sunday showdown with Southampton.

Bruce Talbot

2021-03-13T06:00:00Z

Graham Potter has said he learned a lot last season.

Graham Potter believes his team can draw on the experience of a successful end to last season as they try to climb the Premier League table.

Albion finished with a club record top-flight points total of 41 after taking 12 points from their final nine games. With 11 matches to go this season, starting at Southampton on Sunday, they are on 26 with four points separating Burnley in 15th and Fulham, who are one place below Albion in 18th.

“Last year was tough with lots of things going on, on and off the pitch. I’m a better coach and a better person for it and I believe the players have all taken steps forward as well.

“They have all improved and I think the team's improved. The one thing that is frustrating is it hasn’t been reflected in results and where we are in the table, and that’s where the pain is.

"But we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to understand that this is football at the highest level and then we have to keep fighting.

“But the fact that we've been through this situation and we've had the struggle is important, clearly last year’s experience can help us.

"It’s not like we're sitting here with delusions of being a Champions League team and all of a sudden we find ourselves in this position."

Potter says there is a positive mood at the club ahead of the run-in and thinks that might be another important factor in the coming weeks. “The important bit I get from this club is a really good feeling amongst the people here. The vast majority are very supportive and our supporters have been amazing.”

Sunday’s hosts Southampton topped the table in January but have struggled since. However, Potter is expecting a difficult afternoon against a Saints side who have never lost to Albion in the Premier League and came from behind to beat them 2-1 at the Amex in December.

One good omen is that Albion have not lost any of their three top-flight visits to St Mary’s, which have all ended in draws.

“They have a clear identity of how they want to play and I respect what they’ve achieved,” said Potter. “They’ve had a bad run in terms of results, but they had a win against Sheffield United last Saturday that got them back up and running.

“When we played them in December they were as good as anyone in the league at that moment and you don’t lose that quality. Results can affect you, but I saw against Manchester City on Wednesday how well they can play. They’ve got a real clarity and understanding of what they want to do. It’ll be a tough game.”