Football Season Guide

After 2 consecutive seasons of dramatically avoiding the drop, Brighton decided to part ways with defensive-minded manager Houghton, and instead appointed the more aggressive and attack-orientated ex-Swansea boss Graham Potter. The new boss kept everyone important in the squad, at least for now, plus he signed exciting winger Trossard from Belgium champions Genk, with the very aggressive Hazard-like player racking up goals and assists both in Belgium and in Europe last season. Potter is expected to improve the forward actions of the team which could mean veteran Murray, to be 36-years-old come September, seeing less playing time. Andone had good contributions the few times he was involved last season and the Romanian is the likely new main striker. The Seagulls have been poor travellers ever since returning to the top flight, and improving the away form is a must if Potter wants to steer his team away from danger. To do that Brighton must become more open away from home: they have been sitting way too deep under the previous boss, which could mean more goals at both ends of the pitch when Brighton travel this season. Playmaker Gross was not used very well last season; he was asked to play in a deeper position, but Potter has already confirmed that the German will play in his favourite number ten role this term, and this could mean Gross having his best ever campaign since arriving in England.