Jerry’s double has the Robins rocking
DOMINATION is the name of the game for Graham Potter’s Brighton side – and it is beginning to pay huge dividends.
That’s the message from the Seagulls’ £23million defender Adam Webster as the South Coast outfit rise up the ladder under their relatively new boss.
In less than six months Albion have been transformed from a dull outfit that – with Chris Hughton at the helm – defended deep, into one that now likes to assume control of its destiny.
And judging by their recent performances, Potter’s positive possession approach is starting to work wonders – against the Premier League’s best teams. It nearly stopped runaway leaders Liverpool eight days ago at Anfield, where Brighton were unlucky to finish on the wrong end of a 2-1 result.
On Thursday, though, it did the trick as Potter’s side claimed three points at Arsenal.
Webster, 24, who grabbed the opener in the 2-1 win at The Emirates, said: “The way we set up, we want to dominate the ball – wherever we go.
“Even at Anfield last Saturday, we dominated possession. We were really disappointed not to get anything there.
“A lot of times this season the performances have been really good but the results haven’t been what we wanted.
“For us, it would be easy to get knocked back by that and to change things. But we’ve stuck to our game and persisted.
“That’s the way we want to do it. And it can reap the rewards – we deserved to beat Arsenal.”
While Freddie Ljungberg’s Gunners managed 10 shots in 90 minutes, the Seagulls produced a staggering 21.
Those figures, according to Webster, justify Potter’s purist philosophy – and go some way to underlining what makes the former Swansea coach, who signed a new six-year deal this month, a cut above the rest.
“You want to create chances as a team – and stop the opposition
BIRTHDAY cakes have caused uproar at some clubs – but it makes not one Jota difference to Wolves. Yaya Toure once kicked off at Man City when they failed to present him with a sweet treat.
But Diogo Jota had to dig into his own pocket to fork out as Wolves prepared having too many,” said the former Bristol City defender.
“To have 21 attempts at goal against Arsenal is a big thing.
“It comes from the manager and the belief he has in us all as players. You want to play in his team. It’s so enjoyable.”
Much like the boss, Webster has found adapting to Premier League life a relative breeze – with commanding displays at the back and a couple of vital goals at the other end.
He said: “I grew up watching big clubs like Arsenal.
“To finally play and score there in my first season in the Premier League is an unbelievable feeling. The biggest difference from the Championship is the concentration needed. Switch off for a second, you get punished.” for their midweek Premier League win over West Ham. He said: “I had to bring in cakes for the lads. My gift was the victory.”
With their Europa League commitments, Wolves have played four more matches than any other top-flight team so far this season.