In case you were wondering, Sebastien Pocognoli isn’t the biggest fan of Tony Pulis, and vice-versa.
The 26-year-old struggled to get constant game time under the West Bromwich manager, and a loan move to Brighton to play under Chris Hughton was arranged over the summer.
Taking his time to regain full fitness after so long without minutes on the pitch, the left-back made his first appearance for his new club on Tuesday, in a 2-1 loss against Reading in the EFL Cup.
Speaking to DH about his debut and his time at the Championship club so far, the Belgium international also discussed his relationship with Tony Pulis, and how he doesn’t have a future at West Brom.
He said: “I don’t really want to talk about him. I wasted some time with that manager. I understand they each have their philosophies, his closed ideas and that I’m not his type of player.
“However, when someone works, does a job in the cup or against Manchester United, is liked by the group and by the fans, from that moment on, you also have to give back. A lot of people were behind me. It was more frustrating than anything else.”
Asked why he thought this was the case, he simply said: “Let’s just say he didn’t believe in me anymore.”
Happy at Brighton, where he feels valued, the defender explains that he probably should’ve taken the opportunity to move there last season, when their interest started.
That didn’t happen, due to his want to impose himself at West Brom, but now that he’s there, he’s fully ready to give it his all.
With his contract with the Premier League club running out in June 2017, it’s fair to say he most likely won’t be returning there.
