When it comes to the use of formations and the way individual players are utilised, Brighton & Hove Albion's Graham Potter is the most tactically fluid head coach in the Premier League.
After 10 rounds of matches in 2021/22, Potter has used eight different shapes from the start of matches.
While 3-5-2 (three times) has been his preferred system, the 46-year-old refuses to be married to one formation, tweaking his configurations on a match-by-match basis.
This approach does not provide stability, but it keeps opposition managers guessing, improves the tactical flexibility of his players, and allows Potter to make in-game changes in a seamless manner.
With every member of his squad familiar with a variety of systems, it is easy to switch shapes during matches depending on the state of play.
Another reason why this style of management is successful for Brighton, is their recruitment of players who can perform a multitude of roles.
They target versatile talents who can easily fit in with Potter's extremely flexible plans. A dozen Seagulls stars deployed in two or more different positions so far this term.
Brighton players and positions
| Players | Positions | Players | Positions |
| Leandro Trossard | RF, AM, CF, LM, RM | Alex Mac Allister | CM, AM, LM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jakub Moder | LWB, LF, CM | Dan Burn | CB, LB, LWB |
| Joel Veltman | RB, RWB, CB | Adam Webster | CB, RB |
| Pascal Gross | LB, CM, RM | Marc Cucurella | LB, LWB |
| Solly March | LB, RWB, RF | Adam Lallana | CM, AM |
| Danny Welbeck | CF, LF, LM | Encok Mwepu | CM, RB |
Press with purpose
Potter encourages his team to press man-to-man inside the opposition half, especially from goalkeeper restarts.
Passing through the thirds against a well-drilled Brighton side, is not easy and the stats highlight this.
For Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA) and High Turnovers - both an excellent gauge for pressing - Potter's men are among the division's best.
So, no matter which formation they adopt, they are well-coached enough to maintain high standards in this department.
Teams with Fewest passes per defensive action/Most high turnovers
| Team | Fewest PPDA | Team | Most high turnovers |
| Leeds | 9.2 | Liverpool | 109 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 10.1 | Burnley | 100 |
| Chelsea | 10.7 | Southampton | 88 |
| Brighton | 11.5 | Brighton | 86 |
| Southampton | 11.5 | Man City | 80 |
Defending from the front in this effective way helps to ease the strain on their defence.
By the start of November, from open play, only five Premier League sides had conceded fewer than their eight goals.
Ball control
One of Potter's immediate aims when taking over at Brighton, at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, was to make his players significantly more confident on the ball.
He inherited a team averaging only 44.1 per cent possession in 2018/19, making 306 short passes per match.
Currently, they average 54.3 per cent possession and produce 457 short passes a match.
It has been a spectacular transformation. These days it is not unusual to see Brighton controlling matches with the ball against established top-six sides.
Their ability to keep the ball with confidence for long periods helps them wear opponents down, while also protecting their own goal.
Most 10+ Pass Sequences
| Team | No of passes |
| Man City | 192 |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | 173 |
| Chelsea | 150 |
| Brighton | 144 |
| Man Utd | 129 |
Potter's coaching of the south-coast club should be considered an absolute triumph.
The way he has developed the team's quality in and out of possession, while adding tactical variety, has been outstanding.
He is rightly regarded as one of the brightest English coaches of his generation.