News

Potter pleased with pre-season workout

Head coach with his assessment of friendly draw against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

By Bruce Talbot • 09 July 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Graham Potter and Billy Reid watch from the sidelines as Albion played their first pre-season game.

Graham Potter was happy with his side’s first pre-season workout of the season after watching Albion draw 0-0 with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The head coach fielded two separate XIs in each half but neither side was able to fashion a breakthrough in a match played at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

“It was a good exercise for us. It was a case of getting players time on the pitch at this stage of pre-season and building relationships and we did that,” said Potter. 

“We had a couple of mixed teams out there, but I thought the attitude of all the players was fantastic.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Neal Maupay played during the second half.

Among those in action were new signing Julio Enciso, who played in the first 45 minutes, and Deniz Undav, the striker who spent last season on loan with Union.

“Julio and Deniz looked sharp, they both had a positive impact on the game," added Potter. "It’s not easy, they have only been with their new team-mates for a few training sessions so that little bit of understanding isn’t quite there and is something we will build on in the next few weeks.”

Albion head to Portugal now for a week-long training camp with the players who were not involved on Saturday, because they returned late to pre-season after international duty, joining the group.

Potter added, “We have got some players back and good competition for places all over the pitch. We’ve got an ambitious group with a good attitude. It’s early stages, we’ll keep working and we’re looking forward to another good week coming up.”