News

Potter: Home comforts will always be there

Albion head coach says Amex advantage would still exist even behind closed doors.

By Alex Stedman • 27 April 2020

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion head coach Graham Potter.

Graham Potter says that his team could still use playing at the Amex to their advantage even if the season finishes behind closed doors. 

The Seagulls have nine games of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign to play, and the head coach says having five at the Amex would still work in their favour – with or without spectators. 

He said, “You still have an advantage because you’re familiar with the surroundings. It’s your pitch, it’s your home. That’s still there.

“But you do lose the involvement of the crowd because they aren’t there. I think everybody would say ideally that we would like is to play in front of people. 

“But the circumstances mean that we have to play behind closed doors we will. It’s one of those things that we have to get on with and deal with as best we can. It will be interesting to see how it goes.”

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Press Conference: Potter and Barber

Potter spoke about the potential challenges that playing football without fans would pose on a psychological level. 

“It’s tough. It’s hard to replicate completely,” he added. “It’s a Premier League game but the passion and the involvement of the crowd is not there. 

“You have to deal with that by playing at the training ground, for example, because there’s nobody there then. 

“But once we finally get to the point where it’s safe to play a Premier League game behind closed doors, just playing football will be quite an emotional occasion. 

“I think it will be a very poignant moment for everybody. It’s one we’re looking forward to but it’s going to be a challenge as well.”