News

Our togetherness can help us in the run-in, says Potter

'There's a real willingness to work hard for each other,' says head coach ahead of Norwich test this lunchtime.

By Bruce Talbot • 04 July 2020

Graham Potter is confident the togetherness among his players will help them negotiate the last six games of the season.

Albion could equal last season’s points tally of 36 with five games to go if they can win at Norwich City today.

They have picked up four points since the Premier League resumed and in that time the head coach has seen what he already knew – a group of players who will give their all to make sure Albion can look forward to a fourth year in the top flight next season.

“What I've learnt about the players is that they are there to fight, that there's a real togetherness, a real quality and a willingness to work really hard for each other,” he said.

“We're a really committed, together group and, whatever happens, we're going to give everything. That's probably been the pleasing thing during the last few weeks - their professionalism over lockdown and their awareness of the situation. It has been really, really good.”

Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United followed a 2-1 win over Arsenal and goalless draw at Leicester City and with only West Ham, of the sides below them, managing a win since the resumption it represents a satisfying restart for Potter.

“If you ask any of the bottom five teams, I think they'd have said absolutely I'd take the four points [from Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester United] that we’ve got,” he added.

“There's pressure because we spent six months without a win and then you're reminded of that pretty much all the time.

“Then you you've got a lot of games coming up which are very difficult and you're only two points above the bottom three and that feels like it's been the case for four or five months.

“I'd be lying if I said there wasn't external pressure but it's about perspective. If we win on Saturday that gives us 36 points - the same total we had last year with five games to play and 15 more points to play for.

18:04

MA+ members & STH only - Log-in required

An existing MyAlbion+ membership or season ticket is needed to view this content. Please note that new memberships take 24 hours to be active to view, registering today for Luton Town match streaming will not be valid in time.

Potter Norwich Press Conference WEB

“I suppose it depends on what your expectations are and where your perspective is. We know that every game is so tough and so difficult in the Premier League and Norwich will be no different.”

Albion can complete their second double of the season if they prevail at Carrow Road, although Potter knows that Norwich will see it as an opportunity to get three vital points as well.

He said, “Our focus is on us. We want to try and win the game. We were disappointed with the result against Manchester United because we don't like losing, it's not a nice feeling at all so we want to bounce back from that.

“It's against a team that are fighting for their lives and they'll see it as an opportunity as well. It's just another complicated game in the Premier League where nothing is straightforward and you have to fight for everything.”