Maupay is frustrated but his reaction has been ‘fantastic’
and played without a recognised striker.
“He’s been fantastic. Of course he is disappointed not to play, but at the same time he has been a fantastic team player, he wants the team to win, he’s been really professional in his training, so when he’s called upon he’s ready to help the team.”
Potter’s tactic to play with a false nine at Spurs allowed Albion to win the midfield battle. Yves Bissouma, Moises Caceido and Enock Mwepu started with Pascal Gross and Alexis Mac Allister and Tariq Lamptey all contributing well to a fine tactical and hard working display in the midfield area.
Maupay now faces a battle to reclaim his place in the team although Potter’s flexibility with tactics and formations should see the striker get his chance once more.
“There’s always a place for a striker, it just depends on the team, the team we’re playing, the profile of the positions we need. We’ve tried to utilise the resources as smartly or whatever word you want to use, as much as possible, to try and ask the guys to do the things that they’re good at fundamentally.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t ever use a more conventional striker in the future, it just depends on how we want to play the game.”
Potter was however somewhat forced into a change during the second half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mwepu had been booked in the first half and was walking a second yellow tightrope when Potter made the decision to hook the Zambia international and replace him with Danny Welbeck for the second 45 minutes.
It was shame for Mwepu as against Arsenal he had delivered a goalscoring man of the match display.
Potter said: “You could read the atmosphere [in the stadium]. Spurs know what they’re doing, any challenge or contact, it puts pressure on the referee and it made it difficult for us to continue with Enock on the pitch. There’s a couple of tactical decisions with it as well.”