Former Albion defender Andy Rollings has paid tribute to the job Graham Potter has done in his two-and-a-half years as head coach.
In fact, the 66-year-old – affectionately known as ‘Rollo’ to a generation of Albion fans – is keen to see Potter in the Albion technical area for the next ten years.
“We have a small corner to turn to become a very good team,” said Rollings, who works as a matchday host at the club.
“We’re a work in progress. It’s Graham’s third year, but I’d love for him to be here for the next ten years. It’ll be difficult to compete with the top clubs financially but what he’s got out of the current squad and how he utilises his players I think we’re in a good place. My message to everyone is enjoy the journey.
“Confidence is a massive thing in football and Graham gives that to his players. You look at players who some might have written off at Premier League level. Shane Duffy went out on loan, but he’s come back and been terrific. Dan Burn is 6ft 7in and is the last person you’d expect to be playing on the left, but with such incredible ball control Graham has rightly seen he has a lot to offer in that position. He gets a lot out of players.
“Graham was spot on recently when said he could spend £30m on a striker and there’s no guarantee that they would make the team any better.
“He would rather work with Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly and make them both a 15 or 20 goal a season striker. The best part is that’s not what he’s all about and I love that about him.”
Praise from established Premier League managers for Potter is richly deserved as well according to Rollings.
“Who wouldn’t love to play in this team under Graham at the moment? You’ve got people like Pep Guardiola saying he’d love to play in the Albion team, Jurgen Klopp saying how good we are.
“Top managers highlight what a good job Graham is doing. I’d have loved to be in that dressing room playing for him, there’s never a finger pointed in blame.”
Rollings played under Alan Mullery in the 1970s, and says the approach to management has changed drastically since then.
“Alan was a bit more vocal at times and we had many an instance where he was removed from the touchline and sent up into the stands! We have had cups and saucers flying around in the dressing room but Alan was passionate about football in the same way that Graham is.
“With Graham, I love that he changes the team, I know it’s about finding the balance for the opposition. Back in the day when we had a squad of 15 or 16 players, Alan would play the same 11 players, because there was never a game where you would park the bus or something like that, every game you went into thinking we want to win.
“Graham’s mentality is to win every game as well, but with the number of players he’s got at his disposal he’s got more options. I love the way he goes about his work.”