The Fish

"Taste" defeat? Are they not full up already?

Don't get Rooney's association with Shepherd like.

A slight poacher who scores but doesn't contribute hugely to the rest of the team?

He had good movement in the box and I figured him for a bit of a poacher in the Chicharito mould. Don't think he has the technique to play #10.

Getting things wrong on the way sounds very much in keeping with the Uber experience.

I'm not convinced, I think we'd lose a vital part of Benitez' strategy by removing Joselu from the sharp point of the spear. I agree we need something other than Perez (or Diame) in the #10 position, but I think Joselu up front is better than Joselu in a role he's not familiar/natural at. Of the squad we've got available I'd prefer Merino played further forward and Joselu retain his role up front, to be honest.

Mitr

Isn't it too much of a significant change to the system to risk and the hope that it will be better?

Square pegs, round holes aren't they? fwiw I'd give Gayle longer against Liverpool, but I'd stick with Joselu up top. I'd be tempted to play a 4-1-4-1 Hayden sat deep, Shelvey and Merino in the centre with Joselu given the unenviable task of relieving pressure, winning freekicks and so on.

Yeah, all we're after is consistency. It's not some kind of anti-Newcastle agenda, and I get why the stamp wouldn't be as interesting given they've recently covered one, but we don't seem to benefit from these kinds of things as much as we suffer for them.

Maybe. He's not played there before though, has he? Isn't this similar to when people see a centre back who can trap and pass a ball, and people call for him to be played as a defensive midfielder?

He's safe until he goes after Nascar, gun owners and Simon Legree.

Not sure about Joselu's close control, eye for a defence splitting pass, etc.

I don't think so.

Playing both strikers would leave us with 2 in the centre and I'm guessing Benitez prefers 3 players around that area, even if the 3rd is just a busy #10 like Perez. Should mean we can stifle their play more and (with a better #10) still provide an attacking threat. We should play Mitr, he holds up play and bangs 'em in* * for his national team

Aye we played a similar style to each other in the championship as well. We'll fare better against sides that are better than Brighton on paper because they won't be as well drilled at set pieces and who aren't going into the game as underdogs that we have to break down. Ritchie had a poor game by his standards and our final ball was lacking from all the creative players. Joselu adds a lot to the team, but by christ he needs to score some of the opportunities that he does well to get into the right positions for. But for one poor bit of defending, or had we taken one of our chances we'd have got the draw we deserved.

Gamez looked all right when he came on and played as a wing back as we were so far forward. Agree that a draw would have been fair and had Joselu put away his chance or Ritchie not had an off game it probably would have ended 1-1.

He won't like.

Commentator said "He's got that nastiness to his game and he's stood on Yedlin there, but there was no intent" Pick that apart.

More attacking than Mbemba?

All of our attackers have to be honest.

Gayle on for Joselu

Aye, take him off and Hayden and Joselu.