By Urban Newton
(@urban_newton)
Brighton and Hove Albion are currently 15th in the Premier League table. They have six points, with only one win.
Yet they are a side in transition. Graham Potter is leading a revolution to make the Seagulls one of the most attractive sides in the division.
It began with that 3-0 win over Watford on the opening day. The Hornets were outclassed and outplayed. The result may not look like much now but it was a shock on the day.
Three draws and two defeats followed that match for the Seagulls and this weekend they face Chelsea.
The trip to Stamford Bridge looks like an enticing prospect. Last season, many Chelsea fans were bored with the tedious, draining methods of Maurizio Sarri, whereas Brighton were a solid, well-drilled outfit under Chris Hughton.
This year however, Frank Lampard’s side know only to attack and Graham Potter is turning his team into a possession-based, pressing outfit.
The Seagulls completely dominated last Saturday’s goalless draw at Newcastle, yet their newfound openness actually led to Miguel Almiron having the best chance of the game.
Similarly to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, overlapping centre-backs are now a thing on the south coast too.
Adam Webster has shown just why he was so sought-after in the Summer. Brighton paid £20m for him from Bristol City, a fee that looked obscene, yet him and Dan Burn are revelling in this system.
Lewis Dunk sits as they take turns bombing forward in the inside-channels, offering more runners in the attack.
Dale Stephens’ holding role in midfield, dropping in to cover, must not go unacknowledged too.
The problem, as seems to be with many sides this year, is a goal scorer. It is hard to find a player who can press opponents for a full ninety minutes and also regularly score.
Neal Maupay offers the required mobility but not always the quality in front of goal. Glenn Murray is a natural-born finisher but no more than that. He wouldn’t fit the current system.
Whether Brighton will have to spend big in January to find that player, or if Maupay can rekindle his Brentford form but in the Premier league remains unknown.
Potter’s Seagulls may have only one win but they are a side in transition.
Contrastingly, Manchester United are a team with no clear direction. They have no identity on the pitch anymore.
Brighton, meanwhile, are becoming a very attractive side, showing that a team’s on-pitch identity can be altered fairly quickly.
The early signs of the Graham Potter revolution look good. They just need to become more efficient, with more cutting edge, to cement a place well away from the bottom three.
Saturday’s clash at Chelsea is looking like a very attractive footballing prospect indeed.
By Urban Newton
(@urban_newton)
BehindClosedDoors 
Reblogged this on Urban Newton.
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