Albion head-coach Graham Potter says he can sympathise with Eric Dier after his brother was abused by Spurs fans,but admitted he needs to rise above it.

After Spurs' FA Cup defeat to Norwich on penalties last night the 26-year-old midfielder climbed into the stands to confront a fan, who had abused his younger brother Patrick who was sat nearby.

Dier went up to confront the supporter and protect his brother as he was restrained by stewards.

Potter, who had a similar situation during his playing career could understand why Dier did it, but feels he needs to rise above.

He said:"You can’t do it, that’s the reality unfortunately. Supporters pay their money and they can say what they want, or it seems that way.

"Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s another debate - but that’s the society we live in.

"As professionals you have to manage your emotions and understand that there’s going to be feedback and criticism.

"You have to rise above it.

Potter added:"It’s happened to me that supporters abused my brother in the past, so I know how it feels. It’s not nice.

"Just because we’re footballers or managers doesn’t mean you don’t care.

"Supporters don’t have a monopoly on emotion and passion. We have it too, especially when it comes to a family member. You can understand how things get triggered but you have to be above it.

"That’s the job, that’s the challenge.

"There’s all sorts of noise working against you and you have to try and rise above it.

"We can all understand that there’s emotion and that there’s a trigger.

"But we are professionals and we have to turn another cheek."