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Potter: We deserved to go through

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Glenn Murray’s stoppage-time winner booked Albion’s place in the third round of the Carabao Cup this evening, and head coach Graham Potter reflected on the performance delivered by his new-look line-up, after making 11 changes at the Memorial Stadium.

By Kieran Cleeves • 27 August 2019

By Paul Hazlewood

Aaron Connolly opened the scoring with his first senior goal, before Tom Nichols equalised for the hosts, but Murray’s close-range finish in the second minute of added time secured progress against Bristol Rovers.

Potter handed debuts to a number of players, including summer signing Adam Webster and 20-year-old Steven Alzate, and the boss spoke positively about his team’s cup display.

He said, “Bristol Rovers made it really difficult for us and you’d expect that, but overall, the application and effort from the players was really pleasing.

“Aaron got his goal and I think he worked tirelessly. Steven Alzate’s contribution to the second goal was also nice to see.

“Out of possession we worked really hard to restrict them to not too much. Our attacking play was okay, but sometimes when you put a team together for the first time, it can lack a bit of cohesion.

“However, other than the one action which led to the goal, we managed to deal with them. It’s nice to go through, and credit to Bristol Rovers as well because they made it a very good game.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Goalscorers Glenn Murray and Aaron Connolly celebrate at the Memorial Stadium

Murray fired his first goal of the season in front of Albion’s travelling supporters, and Potter spoke about the striker’s clinical nature in front of goal, which silenced the majority inside the Memorial Stadium.

“He was stretching a little bit and we were thinking about bringing him off,” Potter continued. “But of course with there being penalties as well, he felt that he was okay.

“If there’s an opportunity in the box, then you know there’s a good chance that he’s going to be there.

"We got behind them well and it was a nice attack — it’s really good for Glenn."

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Potter's Rovers reaction

Albion travel to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon for their final fixture ahead of the September international break, and Potter says he’s been pleased with what he’s seen so far.

“The performances and personality on the pitch has been really good; also the attitude of the players and the crowd again tonight, I really appreciated that.

“We’ve had some mixed results, but the performances have been quite good and they’re getting better.

“But, of course, we’ve now got a huge test coming up on Saturday."