OTF

Matt Targett dull?

Barnes had an impact against Aston Villa. Diaby has started well, but I wouldn't say brilliantly. Did nothing against Liverpool when for us Gordon in the same position against them was the best player on the pitch. Maddison will make hay while the sun shines but last season he showed that he can go missing when the going gets tough. We do lack that sort of creativity though, you can't deny it.

The problem I have with dropping Bruno is there is noone to come in to play the role that he's not doing now. I guess Tonali goes deeper and Willock has the legs to push forward and get back.

Yep, Isak out left Wilson up top.

The last time Targett knew our system was more than a year ago.

Botman will be back and Burn will be moved back to LB. This was a chance to give Hall a full game that has been wasted on confirming that Targett is off the pace.

Exactly this. Start Hall. It's clear from last season that Howe doesn't have confidence in Targett, and it's why Hall was bought. It's like Howe felt the need to protect Targett's feelings by starting him here.

Looked like his legs already were off tbh.

This is not a great response from bottling that game.

And the defensive frailty

They have time at the top of the box, shoot and score. We have time and Longstaff passes it to noone.

Lascelles on so Burn can go back to LB at 3-0 down. Surely you give Hall a debut?

Me too. At 4AM.

Glad we didn't get Joao Pedro, looks shit against us playing terribly.

It's actually terrible isn't it. Anderson and Longstaff both pushing high up the pitch, and we know Bruno can't do it all.

For fuck sake, too much space.

I know Anderson had a quality pre-season but he's never come on as a sub in the premier league and had any end product. Saying this now so he proves me wrong.

Time for a Hall debut by my watch.

If anyone but Trippier did that we'd have their head

That's a free kick if it's against them, but nothing given to us.

And really that's entirely down to bottling it against Liverpool. We knew we had a tough start.

Jon Champion is a Brighton fellating, nasal buzzy voiced shite.

On the wayne?

Joelinton has been off a bit, as he was against Man City. It's the way teams play if they move it around quickly he doesn't get a chance to turn it into a physical battle. I also wouldn't say it's us being toothless though, they move towards the ball when their defenders have it and pass the direction they're playing. They want opposing midfielders to press into their backs because after the backwards played ball it can take them out of play for the next progressive pass. At its core it's really basic stuff, but it's effective when you do it as quickly and naturally as Brighton do. If you take a little nibble and get into their back you give away a free kick.

Yeah sure, that's a yellow but Estupian's was not...