FEELING EMPTY

Potter needs fans to make Brighton rock

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 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 times goes on and 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 fans.

“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 the environment is different. You have to work hard to communicate with each other, use 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 it.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is lobbying the 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

LONELY JOB: Seagulls boss Potter’s finding it tough behind closed doors says I agree with ith hi him. allowed to go into pubs, indoors, to be at events.

“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 so far this season but Potter wants them to be brave against Roy Hodgson’s wily Palace veterans.

He said:

“Young

W We’re ’ to go players have no fear and dth there i is a freshness. f h At the same time they will make mistakes. Their performance levels will be a little bit inconsistent.

“If you look at Palace, they have good experience. Roy has got them organised and they have got experienced professionals that have had really good careers.

“So yes, we need to be smart, we need to be brave, we need to be always alert, because if you drop your focus at any point in this league, you can be in trouble.”