Potter: Top-flight has been a learning experience

Graham Potter says that his time in the Premier League so far has given him the opportunity to learn from the game’s best.

Alex Stedman

2020-01-10T08:00:00Z

Graham Potter speaks to the media ahead of Everton this weekend.

The Albion head coach and Carlo Ancelotti will go head to head on the touchline at Goodison Park tomorrow afternoon, and the Italian is an example of the high-calibre manager Potter has come up against this season.

He said, “Carlo is a big name and I’m fortunate in this league because every week we’re coming up against the best which of course can only help you improve yourself. I’m looking forward to meeting him and coming up against him in the match.

“They are a good side who have invested a lot of money in their squad over the last few transfer windows.

“They have a lot of talent and I’m sure they’ll want to react to the defeat to Liverpool at the weekend and we have to be ready for that.”

Asked about the mentality of his squad, Potter praised the character and attitude they have shown this season.

“We’ve always had a hard-working and resilient group that have kept their feet on the floor no matter what the results,” he said.

“The rollercoaster of results tests that but I’m really happy with the group and they’re a good bunch.

“Our focus is always the next game. It should always be the priority and we look to improve from there. We’ve had good and bad spells and we would have liked more points, but it’s a tough league and we have to always be ready for that.”

Albion defender Dan Burn.

Albion will be without Dan Burn at Goodison Park on Saturday after the defender suffered a broken collarbone against Chelsea on New Year’s Day, but Potter is happy with the options he has in Burn’s absence on the left-hand side.

“Numbers wise we’re okay. Adam Webster can play on that side and Martin Montoya has as well, so we’re fine in that respect.

“Solly March is looking to get back into the fold too and there’s more to come from him as well. We have to find a solution in Dan Burn’s absence using the attributes of the players at our disposal.

“Bernardo has come in and done well when he’s been involved too. He’s a versatile player who is most comfortable in a four as a full-back, but he can also play at wing-back too. He’s also played in midfield and has good physicality too.”

Transfer Blog January 2020

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