Graham Potter believes the difference between his unbeaten start at Chelsea and the winless start his successor at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, has had is simply down to “luck”.
Potter has won six, and drawn three, of his first nine games in charge and this weekend takes Chelsea to his old stomping ground looking to become the first English manager to go unbeaten in his first 10 games in a job.
At the same time, Brighton have failed to win without Potter - with De Zerbi overseeing two draws and three defeats - but dismissed the impact move has had on either team.
“The difference is luck. We've won our games, picked up points with some luck,” Potter said at Cobham Training Centre. “When I look at Brighton, they haven't had much luck.
"As much as we want to say that we are all knowing, supreme, intelligent coaches - you need some luck as well - that's for sure. We're both under the same pressure, both want to win, it's going to be a good game.
"They've been unlucky, their performances have been good. There's a lot of positives there. The difference is luck. They haven't had too much luck from what I've seen. The performances are good and I know the qualities of the team. It is a tough game for us.
"They are looking at implementing Roberto's ideas and are doing it well, apart from a bit of luck. They've had some tough fixtures as well. They are a great bunch of lads, fantastic, top staff and I know their quality and how difficult the game will be tomorrow.
"I didn't know [about the record]. It's not something I focus on. I am just trying to prepare the team to win to win the game."
Saturday afternoon is the first time Potter returns to the Amex Stadium since his exit in early September, and the stadium is expected to be full for the reunuon.
Although Potter left with good wishes from the staff working at the club on the south coast, he accepts that a section of the supporter base may not echo that feeling.
"The timing wasn't great for anybody, but sometimes that happens,” he added. “Then it's a decision, and a decision to work here was too good to turn down I thought.
“As to what my expectation for the crowd is... I don't have any. Most I've spoken to from Brighton have been supportive and thankful but I'm not naive, I know that isn't universal.”
