Graham Potter explains why Brighton have lost a record 20 points from winning positions

Brighton have produced some fine displays this campaign but points lost at crucial moments continues to be a concern
Graham Potter has seen his team let slip 20 points from winning positions this seasonGraham Potter has seen his team let slip 20 points from winning positions this season
Graham Potter has seen his team let slip 20 points from winning positions this season

Albion head coach Graham Potter believes fine margins is behind their unenviable Premier League record of losing the most points from winning positions.

Potter's men have let slip a Premier League high of 20 points - more than relegation rivals Fulham (19), Southampton (18) and perhaps surprisingly Jose Mourinho's Tottenham, who have shipped 15 points.

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Brighton s opponents at the Amex on Monday, Everton, have leaked the fewest having lost just five points after taking the lead.

It perhaps isn't quite a grim as it sounds for Brighton though. On the plus side it does show Potter's men are playing well enough to get into winning positions - which is no easy thing in the Premier League.

But the trend remains a concern for many Albion fans, who witnessed their team drop a further three points having taken the lead at Manchester United last Sunday.

So what is behind the statistic? Is it a lack of concentration, no confidence in closing matches out, tactics, fitness, injuries to key players or a bit of everything?

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"It is not so easy to win games in the PL," said Potter. "We have done well to get into the positions but of course then the opposition can fight back and it's small margins in some games.

"It's hard to generalise and say it is absolutely about this. If you take the most recent game (Man United) we just did not play well enough in the second half.

"We have to be honest enough to say that. We did not play well enough to get the points. Even though again a slight marginal call could have gone our way.

"That could have seen us get the point, but looking at ourselves, we did not play well enough and that is something we need to try and improve.

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"The positive is that we have the potential and the possibility to take more points. So looking at it positively, it is quite exciting, because if we can take that next step, then clearly that is where the step-up in terms of points comes from."

The return to fitness of defenders Adam Webster and Dan Burn could help Brighton make that step-up this Monday against Everton. Webster has not featured since early February after rolling his ankle when Albion dropped a further two points in the hard fought 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Burn should also be available for selection as he works his way back to full fitness following his hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 win at Southampton.

"Adam Webster and Dan both trained, that’s good for us and we’ll see how they respond, it’s really positive and it’s nice to have them back," said Potter.

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"There’s a few more sessions to go yet and Adam has been out a while, so we need to see how he reacts. We’ll take it as we go.

"For the last two or three matches we’ve essentially been working with only three fit defenders, so you’re wary about picking up any other injuries.

"Credit has to go to the players for going through that period and we found a solution as a team to adapt.

"But of course, it’s beneficial to the team to have them back, that competition and flexibility will be good for us for the final eight games."