Potter: Mac Allister will cope if we need him

Graham Potter hasn’t got any concerns about giving Alexis Mac Allister his first minutes in English football when Crystal Palace visit the Amex today.

Alex Stedman

2020-02-29T07:00:00Z

Albion head coach Graham Potter.

The Argentinian midfielder experienced the atmosphere of the ‘Superclasico’ between Buenos Aires’s two biggest clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate during his loan spell with Boca earlier this season.

Potter said, “It shouldn’t be an issue in terms of being able to deal with the occasion at all. He’s played in Boca Juniors versus River Plate which is one of the biggest games in world football.

“It’s about him adapting to a whole host of factors in a new country and a new environment.

“We’re in the middle of a fight to stay up and when you’re introducing somebody into that situation you want to make sure that it’s the right thing for everybody concerned.

“He’s a good character, but sometimes it just takes time. He’s enjoying himself and we can see what he’s about. I’m really happy with him.”

The Seagulls are looking to record their first league win of the new year but Potter isn’t worried about that statistic with his men unbeaten in three matches following draws with West Ham, Watford and Sheffield United.

“There’s always a chance that can happen, it doesn’t sound nice but the competition we’re in is fiercely competitive,” he added.

“Crystal Palace hadn’t won in 2020 until last weekend, but it’s the best league in the world and we’re one of many teams who are fighting to stay in it. When you’re in that situation you can go through a period where results go against you.

“You can’t control anything that’s happened in the past or do anything about it. My focus is on my players and the game this weekend because it’s an opportunity to come through a patch where we haven’t won.”