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[Albion] Dunk and Connolly article in The Athletic today



El Presidente

The ONLY Gay in Brighton
Helpful Moderator
Jul 5, 2003
39,689
Pattknull med Haksprut
Appreciate it is behind a paywall, but there's a long and well thought out assessment of how Potter has turned Dunk & Connolly into international class players, and Lewis's stats this season are superb, easily better than other English centre halves, and as for Connolly

Connolly.png

https://theathletic.co.uk/1271273/2019/10/07/connolly-and-dunk-justify-potter-philosophy-as-brighton-blow-spurs-away/
 


hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.
Helpful Moderator
Mar 16, 2005
61,094
Chandlers Ford
Appreciate it is behind a paywall, but there's a long and well thought out assessment of how Potter has turned Dunk & Connolly into international class players, and Lewis's stats this season are superb, easily better than other English centre halves, and as for Connolly

View attachment 115950

https://theathletic.co.uk/1271273/2019/10/07/connolly-and-dunk-justify-potter-philosophy-as-brighton-blow-spurs-away/

Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.
 


Bakero

Languidly clinical
Oct 9, 2010
13,679
Almería
Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.

Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.
 




Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
Jul 7, 2003
18,840
Worthing
Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.


Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.
 




Greavsey

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2007
1,127
Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.

He was absolutely sublime on Saturday. But unfortunately, I think they've taken a look at him and decided he is not quick enough... that's never going to change regardless of the manager!
 


GT49er

Well-known member
Feb 1, 2009
46,473
Gloucester
Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

I wouldn't mind betting 10p (or maybe even more!) on that being the way Southgate views him!
 


hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.
Helpful Moderator
Mar 16, 2005
61,094
Chandlers Ford
Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.

Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.
 




Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
Jul 7, 2003
18,840
Worthing
Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

Yes.
 


hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.
Helpful Moderator
Mar 16, 2005
61,094
Chandlers Ford
He was absolutely sublime on Saturday. But unfortunately, I think they've taken a look at him and decided he is not quick enough... that's never going to change regardless of the manager!

I don't think that can be the issue. He's not slow - comfortable as quick as any of Maguire, Keane or Tarkowski.

Only Mings and Tomori are notably fast.
 


blue-shifted

Banned
Feb 20, 2004
7,645
a galaxy far far away
The way I see it with Dunky this year, is that midfields have generally become less congested spaces. Mostly due to the goal kick rule change but also the way Potter has us set up. This has given Burn and Webster space to move into, , but crucially it's give Lewis the chance to get his head up a bit more knowing there will likely be a pass into midfield.

He also knows that we're playing pacey strikers who will run in behind any defence playing a high line. So last year when he looked up, his best bet was to stick one up for Muzza to compete in the air against a centre half. This year his two assists have come in matches where we had Maupay and Andone, against Watford and Maupay and Connolly against Spurs.

Faith that he'll have a genuinely attacking outball is encouraging him to get his head up and show his range of passing. Just imagine if he were playing for England and could aim those at Sancho, Rashford and Sterling. Southgate is a fool.
 




blue-shifted

Banned
Feb 20, 2004
7,645
a galaxy far far away
The other thing Dunky is doing which I love, is knowing when to forget about playing people onside and get back on the line to make a last ditch clearance. He did this against (maybe) Lamela on Saturday and that's a couple of times I've seen it from him this season. Intelligent defending
 




Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jul 11, 2003
73,370
West west west Sussex
Dunk's no Harry Maguire:-

[tweet]1180880458676080641[/tweet]



luckily.
 




Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
Jul 7, 2003
18,840
Worthing
M.City need a defender who can play out from the back. Dunky stop doing it !!!

Yes, and No. Yes, we want Dunky playing for us, but if the likes of Man City came in with an eye watering offer, we'd certainly need to consider it. The queue of quality, ball playing centre halves we have only 'works' if vacancies occur at the top. We can't expect Ben White / Matt Clarke to accept loans / bench forever.

So, if Man City offered £50m? for Dunk in January and we could recall Ben White from Leeds, it would be tempting.
 


Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jul 11, 2003
73,370
West west west Sussex
Yes, and No. Yes, we want Dunky playing for us, but if the likes of Man City came in with an eye watering offer, we'd certainly need to consider it. The queue of quality, ball playing centre halves we have only 'works' if vacancies occur at the top. We can't expect Ben White / Matt Clarke to accept loans / bench forever.

So, if Man City offered £50m? for Dunk in January and we could recall Ben White from Leeds, it would be tempting.
Been saying this for a while.

Dunk will be 28 soon, anyone offering him a contract will have to make it a massive one as it'll be the traditional last 'big one'.

The club need Dunk and Duffy gone soon, at the top of their valuations, just to move the process along.
 


beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius
Jul 21, 2003
35,265
Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

sad if so, that others scoring goals is the only way to see the range and skills of a defender. we've seen the tackles, passes to midfield or deep pin-point passes for several seasons.
 


BNthree

Plastic JCL
Sep 14, 2016
10,777
WeHo
Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

That's basically the crux of the article!
 




maltaseagull

Well-known member
Feb 25, 2009
12,938
Zabbar- Malta
Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

It is great to watch all our back 3 take the ball past the opposition and join the attacks.
(As long as they don't all go up together :))
 





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