Graham Potter acknowledges that scoring more goals is among the big challenges facing his squad as Albion’s fourth season in the Premier League gets underway tonight.
The Seagulls established a reputation for defensive solidity last season as they finished 15th with a club record top-flight points haul.
Only one club in the bottom half of the table conceded fewer than Albion’s 54 and their goals against tally was the same as tonight’s Amex opponents Chelsea. In contrast, only four sides scored fewer than Albion’s 39.
Asked about improving Albion’s goal tally, Potter said, “It’s part of the process of how we can improve. The likes of Neal Maupay, Leo Trossard and Aaron Connolly were playing their first season in the Premier League and I think they will be better for the experience.
“Of course, we want to attack better as a team, we want to score more goals and win more games. The boys understand that’s the next step we have to take – without losing our defensive stability.
“But it’s not just us out there, the opposition don’t want to concede goals and chances. We’re in the toughest league in the world against some really good players. It isn’t straightforward but we will work really hard to try to achieve that.”
Maupay finished the season with ten goals, Trossard scored five and Connolly three and Potter believes the trio are all capable of better returns this season. But he stresses that improving their goal tally will take a collective effort.
“As a team we have to try to attack better, we have to make better decisions in the final third when we get there,” he added. “I think sometimes we take the wrong option in terms of that final bit and as a team that is something we are conscious of.
“You have always got to be careful that you don’t try to develop one side of your playing style and, at the same time, holes come in the other side of your playing style. You need to keep the balance of how you are defending and attacking.”