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Potter hails Maupay’s ability and application

Graham Potter has applauded the character and qualities of Neal Maupay ahead of this afternoon’s game against Wolves at the Amex Stadium.

By Alex Stedman • 08 December 2019

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion head coach Graham Potter.

The French forward notched his fifth goal of the season in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, heading home Aaron Mooy’s cross ten minutes from time to seal a historic win for the Seagulls.

The Albion head coach praised the way that the striker has applied himself since arriving on the south coast, and spoke about what he believes are his strongest characteristics.

“He can be as good as he likes, he’s so hungry to learn and get better. He improved when he arrived in England and really came on in aspects of his game, he has the potential to kick on again because of his personality and character.

“He never gives up and does his best every day. He fights for the team, responds to setbacks and has all the qualities to carry on getting better.

“When you have that, then you don’t put a ceiling on him. He’s still young and it’s his first season in the Premier League having stepped up to a division with everything that brings, not forgetting the fact that he didn’t have a full pre-season either.”

12:43

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Potter's Wolves press conference

The boss continued to speak about Maupay’s desire to improve as a player during his debut season in the Premier League, and insisted that there is no limit to how far he can go.

“He’s already scored five goals and if you speak to him he’d probably say that he should have scored more recently, that’s just the level of expectation which he puts on himself,” Potter continued.

“He has high standards and that’s really good. We just have to help him with that and his development, because I really think he has the potential to keep on improving.

“Nobody can tell what will happen in the future, but he has the quality and character to be a really top player in the Premier League.”

22:50

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Extended highlights: Arsenal 1 Albion 2

Potter also discussed the seemingly changing nature of the division when he spoke to the media on Friday lunchtime, highlighting the increasing competition of the league.

The former Swansea City man also spoke about the importance of having clarity and structure to the aims and ambitions of a club, and identified them as key ingredients for success.

“I would hope that’s the case because otherwise football becomes a bit boring. It makes it more fun. The competition gets fiercer every year, even the lesser teams have the financial capability to compete and there are top players in every side.

“That’s why it’s the best league in the world. Everyone has the potential to do something and it’s about how you choose to go about it yourself.

“The key thing is to be able to have your own house in order and have a clarity to what you’re trying to do, while having everything aligned. My previous experience with Ostersunds in Sweden was good because that’s exactly what we had.

“We achieved some amazing things. That’s the trick for clubs, you have to know exactly what you want to do and have an identity to work towards. If you have those things, then you’ll find you can improve and progress a lot further than some people might think.”

Christmas cracker at the Amex!