Albion's emphatic, entertaining opening friendly win under Graham Potter in Austria counts for nothing in the context of their prospects under the new head coach in the Premier League.

The squad of opponents FC Liefering, the second division feeder club to Red Bull Salzburg, was so young it was akin to the Seagulls' seniors beating a mixture of their own under-23s and under-18s 5-2.

Just two training weeks into his reign we were, however, in the heart of the Alpine country offered a glimpse of what 'Potterball' could look like.

No sign of Chris Hughton's 4-4-1-1, or 4-3-3.

Albion lined up in both halves with two different elevens in a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation.

Some of the names, and positions, within the system were a surprise.

In the first half, Steven Alzate, just 20, partnered Dale Stephens in the midfield two.

Forced to return from an intended season-long loan at Swindon in January due to a stress fracture of the back, Alzate, as Potter remarked, was "really impressive".

The Argus: Markus Suttner, nowhere near Hughton's plans for some time, returned to Albion colours in his homeland.

The left-back spent the second half of last season on loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf, the German side Albion defeated 2-0 at the same Sportzplatz Bischofshofen two years ago under Hughton as they prepared to enter the Premier League.

Anthony Knockaert went off early on that occasion with damaged ankle ligaments. There were no such mishaps for Potter this time, the Frenchman featuring in the second half X1 amid Fulham's interest in signing him.

A move to the banks of the Thames for Knockaert is plausible, assuming a fee can be agreed between the clubs - Fulham have made contact but have yet to make a formal offer. Personal terms are unlikely to be a stumbling block.

Albion are certainly not pushing him out of the door, even with five wingers. One of those, Jose Izquierdo, will not be available for a while following a second knee cartilage operation.

This is counter-balanced by Potter tactically not necessarily using what would be regarded as two outright wingers. In the first half, Jurgen Locadia was wide on the left.

The most encouraging aspect of the outing was the contributions of the three players - Locadia, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Florin Andone - bought for a combined total in excess of £35 million and yet to really exhibit their worth.

A clever back-heel by Locadia set up Glenn Murray for his customary goal, an immediate response to Albion falling behind completely against the run of play having taking an early lead via Lewis Dunk's looping header from a Pascal Gross cross.

The Argus: Jahanbakhsh operated in the No.10 role in the second half, also drifting right.

The Iranian record signing, after no goals or assists in a disappointing debut campaign interrupted by injury and international duty, provided both goals after the break.

The first originated from another of Potter's surprises, under-23s central midfielder Max Sanders playing behind Knockaert at right-back.

Sanders began the move with continued with a cross to the far post from Jahanbakhsh. Summer signing Leandro Trossard, with his first touches, controlled the ball with his left-foot, outwitted a defender with the right and fired home. Some opening salvo from the former Genk left-winger.

Another penetrative cross from Jahanbakhsh in the closing minutes was met by Andone with a powerful diving header.

There is, as Potter also remarked, still a lot of room for improvement, particularly conceding twice.

Albion should have dealt better with the right-wing free-kick from South Korean under-23s international Jung-Min Kim which led to Liefering's equaliser.

Sebastian Aigner knew little about it as it ricocheted in off his head, with Dunk protesting he had been impeded.

Junior Adamu was given too much time and room outside the box when he gave Liefering their shortlived lead just past the half-hour, although the curling finish beyond David Button into the top corner was sublime.

Albion's other new signing so far, ex-Portsmouth central defender Matt Clarke, ensured Liefering did not score a third with a saving tackle late on.

All in all, there was a lot to enjoy in Potter's baptism as Albion's preparations gather pace now with a cluster of friendlies back on English soil.

Albion first half: Button; Montoya, Burn, Dunk, Suttner; Alzate, Stephens; March, Gross, Locadia; Murray.

Albion second half: Walton; Sanders, Duffy, Clarke, Bernardo; Propper, Kayal; Knockaert, Jahanbakhsh, Trossard; Andone.