Speaking with all the magnanimity of a manager who has just humbled opponents by a 4-0 scoreline, Pep Guardiola was glowing about Brighton’s losing efforts at the Etihad against Manchester City.
But beneath the cheap praise from the first ever manager to win a domestic treble, Guardiola also left his opposite number Graham Potter with food for thought.
Potter’s early efforts in the Premier League have been impressive. Playing from the back, quick to pass and press forward, Brighton are an enterprising outfit and could have scored twice at the Etihad.
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But the opening day win at Watford has made way for a home draw against West Ham and a home loss to Southampton before this resounding defeat.
Sticking with it
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There may come a point where pragmatism, and grinding out points, become the order of the day for Potter. But there is no sign of him surrendering his values yet.
“We have to be ourselves, how we want to develop our game,” said Potter. “We saw it as an opportunity to test ourselves against the very, very best. No matter what style or how you want to play, it’s very, very difficult to get something here.
“So we saw it as an opportunity to try to be ourselves, learn, develop. It’s our fourth game together. We need to try to move forward with this.”
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