Ok then.

[Zippity]

No need for the sarcasm,I don’t do “football manager” we can’t do anything about Longstaff he’s injured! Eddie has been playing Burn “out of position” all season, Schars a good allround footballer and could do a job for a couple of games in midfield in my humble opinion.

I don't play Football Manager either. Was Sensi Soccer for me.



Pep does that with Stones sometimes, doesn't he (pushing him out of defence). Be too much of a risk, imo but, given the way we've been playing versus the way Brighton have been playing, maybe Eddie's thinking outside the box too?

[tinostongue]

I don't play Football Manager either. Was Sensi Soccer for me.



Pep does that with Stones sometimes, doesn't he (pushing him out of defence). Be too much of a risk, imo but, given the way we've been playing versus the way Brighton have been playing, maybe Eddie's thinking outside the box too?

Soon find out! I just feel we are carrying Bruno at the moment and we can’t afford to, especiallly after what Brighton inflicted on Arsenal tonight. Can Brighton pull off a performance like that two games running, and just 4 days later?

[Zippity]

I suspect they probably could.

If we're good enough for top 4 we'll have to prove it in games like these.

[18nufc92]

Bruno is a good enough footballer to play with one leg and still be useful. He’s not in his best form, sure, but he can’t be dropped unless he’s too badly injured to play. It’s too late in the season to tinker with new formations. Trust the team that got us into this position and trust the tactics that did the same.

Brighton are a possession based team. This will allow us to go back to our early season tactics of being tough to break down and counter attacking with pace. I’d start Isak up front, Jo on the left and I’d give Gordon a go in the Longstaff role. He has the legs and energy to play RCM. Targett in for Burn as they have lots of pace in their wide positions. No other changes. We’re third in the league for a reason. We’re very good when at our best. Have faith.

[HughieG]

I agree about Schär - I always thought he would be ideal for a deep-lying midfielder/defensive midfielder type of role. It turns out though that he's perfect as the ball-playing central defender.

[toptoon]

I agree about Schär - I always thought he would be ideal for a deep-lying midfielder/defensive midfielder type of role. It turns out though that he's perfect as the ball-playing central defender.

This is an unknown. He won’t have anywhere near the same time on the ball. How will he perform, in possession with a tight marker???

[Xamand]

He's played DM for us before and tbh looked poor and somewhat lost as to what he was supposed to be doing. Can't remember whether this was under Benitez or Bruce (if the latter than that would explain the looking lost). Maybe would work with a better team around him than before but I don't think this is the right time for this kind of experimenting.

[HughieG]

This is an unknown. He won’t have anywhere near the same time on the ball. How will he perform, in possession with a tight marker???

That's true. I don't have a specific need or hope that he will play in a defensive midfield position, I'm quite happy with how he's doing in defence and going forward during the matches.

[tinostongue]

That's true. I don't have a specific need or hope that he will play in a defensive midfield position, I'm quite happy with how he's doing in defence and going forward during the matches.

Much as I love Schar, I reckon Eddie will be looking at another partner for Botman this summer, a younger version of Schar would be good, and a proper left back. BDB might have to be content not being first choice next season,I love him as well btw.

[18nufc92]

We lack pace across the back line which is a concern. I’d expect us to look for a pacy right-footed CB to compete with Schär. We all know LB is a position that needs strengthening. We could do with a holding midfielder and a right winger too. Those are the positions I expect us to target in the summer window. 4 quality signings in those positions would take us to the next level.