WakefieldVillan

Emi Kesler Konsa Mings Targett Nakamba Traore Luiz Sanson El Ghazi Watkins I'm not sure how ready Kesler is but I think we have nothing to lose to give him a go, Elmo has been poor 2 out of 3 matches and I would like to see a change in there (though I doubt we will). I actually don't think we were that bad on Wednesday night but I appear to be in the minority - I mean don't get me wrong, we weren't good but I think we were very unfortunate not to get at least a point. If anything, we got gradually worse after the sending off - The lack of creativity (without Jack) was just plain for everyone to see. This has the same feeling (as many of our games) that first goal wins it, in what will be a low-scoring, tight affair. I think they might nick it to be honest. But even if they do, we've still made remarkable strides and this team and management should be backed to the hilt! Cash and Grealish have been massive losses to us and without them we just do not have the same threat so I'd probably have been satisfied with a point in this one, but a point is neither here nor there at this stage of our season so let's go out all guns blazing. UTV

Elmo off for Barkley

Sanson for Nakamba at HT for me. Completely different game now we're chasing it. Let McGinn sit in. Probably a Barkley for Ramsey sub too but I'd leave that for 15 and get after them from the off.

So many overreactions on here. I dont think we've been that bad. No way we should be losing. The goal they scored was very fortunate but poor by Elmo who is confirming he's not up to the required standard after this season (even as back up). We've gone close 3 times, probably should have had a pen (or dangerous free-kick) and we've pressed pretty well but don't get me wrong pretty loose with the ball at times. Not great, but this was never gonna be 0-4 or 0-5 and I really don't understand some of our fans thinking that?! Still hoping we can turn this around UTV

Earn the right to play, don't underestimate them and eventually we should have more class and take the 3 points back home. Same side as Saturday except for Sanson coming in for Ramsey. Need a LOT more from Traore - He was the biggest disappointment for me against Leeds. Have Barkley, Luiz chomping at the bit on the sidelines.

I was nervous as hell when I knew he would be starting against Leeds, mainly because his performance against Leicester the week before was pretty poor to say the least and he would be facing a huge test against the likes of Raphinha and Harrison. But he didn't put a foot wrong and probably showed it was more rustiness the week prior than anything else. He has been a solid signing overall and I do like him, but I think (well, hope) that, a bit like when we let the likes of Jedinak, Whelan and Adomah go, that as a club, we are moving on to another level and looking at having stronger competition for Cash. That said, it wouldn't be the end of the world if he's here for another year. I'd prefer to see Taylor leave who's actually a bit younger but offers less.

Not disagreeing with the Bamford comments, but this incident isn't him, it's Llorente (I think).

Fair play with this post and much respect Buuuuuuut, they do make it hard to not have a few digs at them. All I have seen from their 'fans' tonight is that it was a sh** game, we were lucky, Targett should have seen red (ignoring Klich should have seen red before) blah blah... The rest are nowhere to be seen after a defeat. Honestly every time it happens. Silence. F*** em! Ps superb battling performance by the lads tonight, well done Smith for getting the energy back in the midfield which let's face it we ALL knew was key. UTV

I guess that's aimed at me to be honest I didn't expect A) anyone to agree with it or B ) it having any sort of possibility of happening. My real worry is Elmo at RB - He was shocking yesterday and I fear the same next week up against Harrison. I suppose we have to hope that it was down to limited game time and after the 90 minutes under his belt, we may see an improved performance. I also think it would be a tough debut for Kesler. The loss of Cash is a big blow no doubt. I would love us to try a different formation and personnel - If it doesn't work then so be it - We aren't going down so not the end of the world - but I feel it will be pretty much the same team and we will look turgid (obviously hope i'm wrong!)

F*** it - Let's press high, loads of energy and beat the dirty words removed 12-7. Emi Konsa Luiz Mings Sanson Nakamba McGinn Targett Ramsey Traore Watkins

On paper most fans would probably agree that the midfield 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Barkley to be the strongest we could field, but all 3 are out of form right now and could all easily be replaced by Nakamba, Sanson and Ramsey - who have all done 'ok' in recent cameos. We just seem lethargic since Covid hit us, especially in the middle of the park. It would take huge balls to replace the entire 'engine' room for the Leeds match but if we play with the same side that started today then the game will be over in half hour like it was today.

Id take Elmo off put and konsa at RB, Barnes is killing us. Drop Luiz back with Mings picking Vardy up. Trez for Traore for more energy. Or Watkins wide with Davis. Then one more sub after 60, take your pick - Sanson, Ramsey, Chuk... But nothing...

We were always going to have less possession therefore having Elmo, Barkley and Traore in the same team was asking for trouble!

Undeserved point really. Firstly fair play to Brighton, they aren't a bad side at all, play good football and defensively solid - their past few results show that they are no mugs. We were poor though. On the ball and off it. Martinez won us that point. Mings and Taggart did ok and Cash prior to his substitution. Everyone else a bit meh though I won't attribute blame to Watkins who was starved of service. I said prior to the game I was really looking forward to this and would accept any starting line up but as the game progressed I was crying out for a change. I just don't get Barkley playing almost as a second striker. It's leaving us too exposed and let's face it he's playing purely on name alone. Disappointing night glad we stole a point. Let's move on.

Part of me thinks same team as Arsenal - Nakamba doesn't deserve to be dropped and you know what they say, 'never change a winning team'. Then I think about Luiz on the bench and think hmm, the guy oozes class (albeit slightly off the boil of late), got to get him back in there - Sorry Marvelous. Then I think about our new French signing, would be great to see what he has to offer - Sorry Marvelous and Dougie. Then I think about the work-rate Trezeguet provides down the flank - That might serve us better than the majestic Traore. But then I think hmm not too sure, Traore can lighten up a match in an instant. Sorry Trez. I always think about whether Barkley has merited his starting place, but I don't know about others but when I see his name on the team sheet alongside Jack I just think "we're pretty decent aren't we"?! Bottom line is, I don't care who starts anymore, I trust all our players to give 100%, I trust the management and coaching staff, I trust we will go out to win, I trust we will try to play football, I trust if we go ahead, we will try for more goals, I trust if we go behind we will still keep going, I am excited for all our games now and it's a great feeling especially given the current climate - We might not win, our opponents are a decent side who won't be underestimated but we will give it a real good go and that will do for me. UTV

I wouldn't swap Watkins for Bamford but I think both are good strikers who are having good seasons for their respective clubs. There are a lot of our fans that think Bamford is sh*t but I do feel that's skewed because of his theatrics against us the other season and the fact that he comes across as a bit of a kn0b. Judging him purely on his football ability, I quite rate him, I think he leads the line well for Leeds, defends from the front, links play, has a nice touch and has moments of real class finishing (see the game at VP) BUTTTTTT, he does miss some very easy chances and is really inconsistent with his finishing, sometimes from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last night's game was evident of what you get with PB, intercepted a loose pass, very cleverly knocked it past Cahill and left him for dead (will not mention Gary treading in water), clean through on goal and blazes his shot high into the South Stand. Such a poor finish but I begrudgingly don't think he's a bad player. England class?! Not for me.

The Ramsey substitution worked out absolutely fine. In fact it was almost perfect as we were very close on two occasions to a second 'killer' goal when he was brought on. It enabled us to press higher up the pitch and gave us fresh energy when we needed it most. The gaffer got it spot on today with his substitutions, timing of them and starting Marvellous!

Mings MOTM - the rest of the defence resilient to a man. Watkins another standout performer, tireless running and ultimately the match winner. This win surpasses the win at The Emirates. This was a much better, more confident Arsenal team and with us coming off a terrible result and performance on Wednesday night makes the victory even more pleasing. Special mention to Nakamba - thought he did pretty well in the engine room and I think that's 3 home clean sheets we've had when he's played which may tell us something. I think we need to really start trusting the likes of Marvellous, Ramsey, Trez etc - they ALL bring things to the table. A good sub by Smith bringing Ramsey on, we instantly pressed better as a team and were unlucky not to kill the game on a couple of occasions. 35 points already. Outstanding

On paper, looks a decent side, all about where our fitness and energy levels are at - hopefully Nakamba can improve us in that department from Wednesday night. Need a big one from Barkley today and I think we might just get it. UTV

I think there is plenty of opportunity after this game to play our "strongest" line up with the midweek games coming to a halt and it would be a great opportunity to the other players to stake a claim for a shirt. It's why we have a squad.

I think we need to freshen the central midfield area, and though (on paper) it may appear a weakened side, I think we need to trust the players coming in and hope their increased energy levels have a positive impact. Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Targett Nakamba Trez Sanson Ramsey Grealish Watkins Up our work rate, be tougher to breakdown and look to a stronger bench with 30 to go if required, with the like of Traore, Barkley McGinn, Luiz. Would be a bold move to replace all 3 and not one I'd expect Smith to make, but in some ways it might be easier "resting/dropping" a few as opposed to just one.

I think it says as much about the rest of the team as it does Ollie, but I know what you're saying. He worked tirelessly and got a goal, unlucky with the one off the post too. Up against two bruising centre halves he never gave in. The mistakes for the goals he needs to do better though. Thought Mings was the only other one that did ok.

Worst performance of the season, truly shocking. Looked lethargic all game. We are a good side when things are going our way and we can play some neat one/twos but we didn't want to fight today and we lost the battles in every position. Fair play to them, they played well and did a job on us but we were dire beyond belief. Only Watkins came out with any credit and he got dispossessed for two of our goals! Says it all! El Ghazi literally didn't play A SINGLE pass to a team mate, Martinez threw two in, the midfield 3 were all over the place (but not in a good way). Grealish lookedfrustrated before a ball was even kicked. Smith gets a very poor from me. It was clear at HT (well long before that) it wasn't working and Jack should have been put central to counteract their game-plan. Barkley should have been hauled at HT along with El ghazi. I think he hasn't got the balls to do this to the high profile players like Barkley n Jack and its cost us today. A real poor night. And it was inevitable Lingard would score past us, with a number of our fans laughing at him pre match he's not even a bad player and he's shown that tonight, made a few villans look very silly. Time to start freshening it up a bit Dean come Saturday, some of these look knackered!

Totally rubbish at predictions, had a sneaky feeling Newcastle were going to beat us (not sure why, they were dire), thought we'd beat Burnley (to be fair, we should have) and would've been happy with a point at saints (rode our luck for 3) so on that basis, I will say we will lose all 5 Think the next 5 are all tough to call, if we deal with set pieces then we should get 3 points first up. Arsenal are very inconsistent, I see no reason why we can't get 3 here. We owe Brighton one, but I think they are better than the league position shows, a point would not be the worst result. Leicester with Vardy is a different animal than Leicester without. This could be crucial to what we pick up here. The Leeds one worries me most. I don't think we have the management or team to sit and counter and I think we could leave ourselves open (as we did in the reverse fixture). All about momentum though, win our first one/two and confidence will be brimming...

38 years a fan (now 43) remember the likes of Sid, God, Platty, Yorke - all class players in their own right. But Jack tops all these. Just an absolute joy to watch. Carries on like this and he definitely should be POTY.