Graham Potter has praised the persistence and determination of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, as the midfielder looks to build on his two goals in two games when Albion’s focus switches to the Emirates FA Cup today on the south coast.
The head coach has hinted that Jahanbakhsh will have a role to play in the third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon after scoring in successive Premier League games against AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Potter said, “It’s a great story because Ali has kept persisting. It’s a tricky one because I wasn’t here for his first year, but when we came here we got a player who was perhaps low in confidence. You can try too hard in that situation, which sometimes means you give the ball away or you expose your team in transition and lose confidence.
“In the modern game it’s easy if it’s not working for a player to find a quick solution and move on.
“It has been difficult for him and we’ve had some honest conversations but he has knuckled down, got focused and he’s now getting his rewards.
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“He came here with a lot of expectation and sometimes you need time to adapt and learn. It is testament to how well he has done that he has come through. Sometimes you need time to adapt and learn and sometimes the coach, myself, can make the wrong decision.
“I enjoy working with him and I’d like him to carry on what he is doing. He is affecting the game and enjoying making a contribution.”
Potter also explained how Jahanbakhsh’s team-mates have been as delighted as he was to make such a significant impact in his last two matches. He scored his first Albion goal in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth, before a spectacular overhead kick earned his team a deserved point in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
“Ali has always handled himself well – he’s trained hard and been good around the group,” added Potter. “That’s why the lads are so happy for him – that’s not an act.”