Potter: We have to be adaptable

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Head coach says his players will cope with return to playing in empty stadiums.

Bruce Talbot

2020-12-27T06:00:00Z

Albion will adapt quickly to empty stadiums, according to Graham Potter.

Graham Potter is confident his players will quickly adapt to playing in empty stadiums again.

Albion hosted 2000 noisy fans at the Amex for the recent games against Southampton and Sheffield United, but with Brighton going into tier 4 coronavirus restrictions on Boxing Day, their next two home matches against Arsenal on Tuesday and Wolves on 2nd January will be played without supporters.

“Personally, I think we have shown a really good level of motivation when we haven't had supporters,” he said. “We succeeded after the restart in June in what we wanted to do with no fans in the stadiums and this season our performances have been good, so that indicates we are doing something right in terms of motivation to perform, even in empty grounds.

“As a group, we are aware enough to know what is happening in the world at the moment because of the pandemic - that things are not ideal and we have to adapt, whether that is in front of 2000 or nobody.”

Albion head to West Ham today and Potter agrees with his opposite number David Moyes' assessment that any team could finish between third and 18th this season.

“I can't disagree. The Premier League is so tight and completive, there are so many good teams,” said Potter.

“There is always pressure which the current situation exaggerates. A manager once said 'you are only 90 minutes from a crisis' and I understand that. You can win some games and suddenly it's somebody else's turn to feel the pressure.

“It is all part of the challenge of the Premier League. Sometimes you have to suffer. This league makes you do that. But the important bit is how you handle yourself and come out of it.”