There are no easy games in the Premier League
Graham Potter will manage Brighton against us tomorrow in what will be his first ever game against Burnley as a player or a coach. He played for a number of clubs, making more appearances for York City than any other club, but it was in Sweden where he first managed, spending eight years in charge of Östersund.
Swansea brought him into the Football League in the summer of 2018 to replace the departed Carlos Carvalhal following their relegation but just one year on he was on the move again to Brighton to take over from Chris Hughton.
Speaking to the media ahead of his first game against Burnley, Potter spoke about Sean Dyche and said: “I’ve been hugely impressed with what he’s done there. They’ve stayed in the league and pushed further with a clarity about what they want to do.
“As a coach I have respect for that. People make a thing about style, but it’s about what you do, and Burnley do their roles very well. That balance between defence and attack is important and there’s a real clarity to everything, so he’s done a fantastic job.”
Looking forward to tomorrow, he added: “I’m expecting a tough game against a side who I really like. They’re very good at what they do and have a good balance between defence and attack. They create chances and defend well. They can mix their game up and use their strengths in a good way to create chances.
“We need to be really focused and do our work as well as we can. It’s a game we’re looking forward to after this break and it’s good to be back in league action”
Burnley are back after the first international break and Sean Dyche looked back at the opening group of games. “Generally the performances have been good,” he said. “I’ve been quite pleased. I was not displeased with that performance (against Liverpool) it’s just that you are playing the top end. The biggest gripe with that one was we turned the ball over so many times, if you give them that many times to counter you they probably are going to achieve something at some point.
Moving on to tomorrow and Brighton, he added: “It’s our third away game in the first five but a different manager and a different feel going down to Brighton. We had a great result there last time out and we’ve had a few good results there and a few very important results there, in one of our promotion seasons as well, so we look forward to going there but there are no easy games in the Premier League.
“I think he (Brighton boss Graham Potter) will be reasonably happy. It’s not easy taking over from a very good manager like Chris (Hughton). He’s tried to change it, changing the tactical format, more of a 3-4-3, that’s been roughly what they’ve been looking at. They are trying to pass through the thirds although they do play long diagonals as well to mix the play.
“I think it will be interesting for him. I spoke to him very briefly at the Premier League meeting in the summer and just had five minutes with him. I know he’s gone down a different route but he’s found himself at the top of the game in the Premier League, quite quickly, relatively quickly really.”
Chris Wood had spoken earlier about his search for a first goal of the season but the manager is more than happy with the way he’s been playing. He said: “I’ve been enjoying his performances in general and I’ve been enjoying his performances to try and score a goal because there’s no lack of will or effort in doing so. I’ve enjoyed the relationship with Barnesy.
“Jay Rod’s a bit unlucky because he’s had a good pre-season with us and he’s beginning to find better links with the players here. Vydra’s always on the rail. He’s there waiting, you know can he get a chance. It’s a good group that and I’m enjoying the work they’re putting in. I do historically like playing with two strikers, particularly two strikers who are playing well.”
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