Has Pedro gone back to Brazil? He has vanished. Not sure about that side, but after looking at the options, I would take a point.
There's really no need for other strikers whilst Deeney and his good friend of 10 years Gray are able to walk. Just swap one of them for an academy prospect towards the end who will look awful and therefore not good enough for this team and released. No need to bring our top goal scorer or a Udinese 6th choice striker.
Annoying as hell that Perica is not there (injured? COVID?), and I'd much rather see Hughes starting than Chalobah. Bit surprised Masina hasn't started in place of Ngakia, after his match-winning tackles against Norwich. Bench looks weak. Would take a draw to be honest.
I hope I've got it wrong about Dalby and he's one of those who looks average in scrappy U23 games but is better with a bit more quality around him, otherwise we've very little on the bench to bring on by way of attackers. Crichlow can play down the middle but more as someone behind a main striker, more as the tip of a diamond formation, and he's looked better there than when played on the wing.
Swansea fans happy to see Gibbs-White back on the bench for them. Had been playing well for them before injury.
Damn, that's sooner than expected. He was the best player in the Championship before he got injured, he'll be a huge boost for them once he's fully fit again. Let's hope he's not there yet.
I'm pleased enough with that starting lineup and the fact we've stuck with the 442 - I think that's the correct decision vs this Swansea set-up. There's a big call though in sticking with the 2 CBs when T-E is back fit again. The bench is obviously lacking in attack. Obviously everyone is asking where Perica and JP are. But at least Murray has been left out - despite Munoz's comments he surely must be off?! It's good that Dalby might get a chance, from the little I've seen of him in the past I've commented that he seems a decent prospect and managed a goal in League Two as a 17 year-old. He must surely have a bit more energy than Brighton's geriatric.
I thought Chalobah looked much better than Hughes when they both came off the bench vs Norwich. Hughes still seems a bit like a ghost.
Hughes over Cleverley is what I'd have liked to have seen. There is absolutely no argument over who is the better player of the two.
There must be a reason that Hughes isn't playing at the mo. Either not fully fit or looking for an exit in Jan.
I know but you also said it was poor on paper. Cant blame Xisco for the selection. He will know what is going on with the players atm.
I wonder if he does have a health issue? Didn't the club say he had a non-footballing related operation in the summer? Having said that he is on the bench...
