POTTER’S IN WITH A SHOUT

BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter admits it’s a constant battle to keep his Seagulls players focused every time they play in silent stadiums.

Potter’s side take on Crystal Palace in tomorrow’s M23 derby at Selhurst Park with no supporters again allowed in.

And Potter (above) said: “Undoubtedly it changes the environment. Initially it was out of necessity and it was a bit novel and new and you can get through it.

“But as you can see the winter approaching and we still have no supporters, it’s a little bit upsetting to constantly go to games with no supporters.

“It just doesn’t seem right. The quicker we can change that in some way the better. Football with fans is everything really.

“There’s a constant understanding that things are different. You have to work hard to communicate with each other, with your body language.

“You have to keep being positive because you haven’t got that energy from the crowd to give you a lift when you need to.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is lobbying government for the return of fans, despite parts of the country going into local lockdown because of coronavirus.

He has highlighted the inconsistency of people allowed into bars and concert venues but not allowed to attend football in the open air.

Potter said: “My gut instinct says I agree with him. We’re allowed to go into pubs, to go indoors, to be at events.

“I think football has the capacity to socially distance, to organise themselves to allow supporters back in. So I tend to agree.”

No other club has fielded a team with a younger average age than Brighton this season and Potter added: “Palace have good experience so we need to be smart, brave and alert.”