Potter examines 45 minutes which changed mood for Albion

That, he felt, was one area where youthful Albion could progress.

It would appear they are not at that stage yet after 45 minutes which changed the feel of the season so far.

Graham Potter and his coaching staff are looking for some answers after a 1-1 draw with the Baggies.

A concerning second half from the Seagulls meant the point was the most they deserved from what many had felt would be a second home win of 2020.

It also changed the mood of the season so far. Rightly or wrongly. At least for those on the outside.

The beauty, of course, is the mood can be changed in the other direction just as quickly next time out, tall order though it seems at the moment.

One wonders whether West Brom were under-rated, if not by the team themselves by us on the outside.

Let’s hope not. For three-and-a-bit seasons now we have followed Albion on the road and seen teams up and down the Premier League consider Brighton at home to be a must-win game.

That has been the case with elite or mid-ranking teams.

And with opponents like Ranieri's brittle Fulham, Norwich, Stoke, Swansea – and, yes, West Brom themselves in 2017-18 - who are on a bad run and suddenly see “home to Brighton” as a chance to change their fortunes.

READ MORE: Why Lallana played an hour and no more

The hashtag #teamslikebrighton has been adopted by Albion fans who feel their side are being disrespected or under-rated.

That does not mean the hosts always win those games.

Graham Potter has changed that. Eight unbeaten away from home earlier this year, currently one defeat in ten.

But home form has been in direct contrast to that.

By half-time on Monday, it looked like they would see it through at the Amex after taking command – and the lead – against a Baggies side who had started quite well, then been pushed back.

So what changed in the second half and how concerned about it should we be?

It felt like the tone of a season so far, the way the opening weeks would be judged, shifted during those 45 minutes.

Simple question. What happened?

Potter told The Argus: “I need to have a look at it back. Of course, the opposition step up their performance level.

“We made a few unforced errors, a few passes went astray.

“We had a good opportunity when we got Solly (March) out with a good bit of play in the second half. I think he maybe could have crossed it.

“But not enough of that type of attack.

“We had a numerical advantage in the first half in midfield and probably lost that or a combination of not such good passing or not the right option to make use of that.”

Potter spoke about Albion having chances to increase their lead.

That was quite soon after the game, before looking back at it with more time.

In fact, that March shot apart, their openings were at 0-0 – and they were good openings too, well-crafted with Adam Lallana influential and Leandro Trossard enjoying his best period of the game.

Lallana or Neal Maupay had to score on one occasion.

Maupay probably should have tucked away a March cross.

It was hard to recall a time when it seemed 1-0 would become 2-0.

A second win of the season remains elusive.

Potter said: “I think it’s a combination of lots of things. Every game has been different so it’s hard to put your finger on one thing.

“I don’t want to sound like a broken record but in the Premier League it’s not so easy to get wins.

“You only have to see the table. It’s not like people are rolling teams over.

“It is very competitive as you would expect.

“Today we played well for the first 45 minutes. We created some chances, we had opportunities to extend our lead.

“We didn’t take them and, while it’s at 1-0, the opposition feel like they have a chance to score, a bit like us last week.

“It’s that second goal, a third goal - but it’s not so easy to do in this league, to score and open teams up.

“But that’s where our challenge is, where we have to improve and then learn when we are not playing as well how we can see the game out.”

Watching the game back, Albion seemed in control of the 1-0 for longer than it actually felt when seeing it live.

When you saw the re-run, you got to 70 minutes or so and still wondered how they let it slip.

How they ended up as the team hanging on for a draw in added time.

Win ugly. Ultimately, as Potter knows, it is about results.

From the outside, four points going into Monday looked okay but with two caveats.

One was a combination of the performances, which showed promise, and the bad luck Albion had endured at times.

The other was that they then needed to go on and pick up points from what look more accessible fixtures, West Brom being one of them.

That was not to under-rate or be dismissive of the Albion from the Black Country in the way others have been about Albion from Sussex since August, 2017.

Well, okay, it was a little bit.

But there are some fixtures which offer a better chance of points than others.

Where expectations will be different to others.

How would we be feeling now about the start to the season had the Seagulls held on to beat the Baggies by an own goal?

Potter was asked about that, by the way. He didn't bring it up himself.

His reply was: “If you take seven points, you look at it and think ‘not too bad’. When you combine it with the performances it has been a good start.

“If you don’t win you can turn it another way.

READ MORE: Player ratings from the draw with West Brom

“From my perspective I think we have had 45 minutes where we have been really disappointed.

“Apart from that I think our performance level has been quite good.

“I look at it and think ‘okay if we maintain that and maybe improve I think we can get better results’.

“But while you only have the points you have there is always criticism, there is always negativity.

“That’s how life is “If there is one thing you can put your finger on, it would be so simple.”