Bit worried about this, fancy Brighton to do quite well. Reminds me of this time last year when a few people were backing us to go down yet we properly turned up on that opening day
Won't see Welbeck for this one and i'd be very surprised if Sarr or Pereyra start. Foster Kiko Cathcart Dawson Holebas Hughes Doucoure Capoue Deulofeu Gray Deeney Subs: Bachman, Mariappa, Dele, Pereyra, Sarr, Okaka & Cleverley. Narrow 2-1 win.
I expect I posted this last year, but the last time we lost on the opening day was as long ago as 2006 (Boothroyd’s year in the Premier League) when we lost at Everton with the Chris Powell phantom handball. Sorry to tempt fate but there you are.
In the last 13 seasons we have mostly drawn our opening day away fixtures and mostly won our opening day home fixtures with no losses and I don't personally think we are going to end that sequence on Saturday!
There is one other stat, however, that makes this season different from the last 13 and that will probably turn that trend on its head. I have returned to the fold of season ticket holders. Apologies.
Easiest 3 points of the season tomorrow, comfortable 3-0 win and top of the league. Knowing we're going to win so comfortably takes away the excitement of the first game of the season but not the worst problem to have. At least Brighton fans will get to see some real quality in the form of Delefou, Doucoure and Sarr.
Easy to feel confident but they won’t be an easy turn over (teams rarely are in this division) I’d like GD to start, but can’t see Javi changing formation over night to 4-3-3, he rarely uses GD out wide, and it would be a tough call to drop Gray.
It's going to be a complete lottery with the gale-force winds forecast. Absolutely anything could happen. Don't know whether it's best to try passing the ball in such conditions or too risky and better to just punt it upfield and run after it.
I’m excited , dont know who will play, but interesting to see quina and penawhateverhisnameis being mentioned as not available (indicating they may play a bigger part this year - but I might be reading too much into this) Would like t9 see Sarr have a run out
Nope. "The Hornets created a huge buzz this week when they beat off competition from other Premier League clubs and European suitors to land England international forward Danny Welbeck. Not done there, they then pulled off a club-record deal to sign Ismaila Sarr, one of the most exciting talents in Europe last season. Neither will be involved against the Seagulls on Saturday but Gracia anticipates the excitement around the pair to energise the squad and the crowd for the game against the Seagulls."
I think Sema will start with Del Boy on the bench. Del boy wide leaves us too vulnerable down the wing.
So confident on the win and that Dawson will be the only new signing to play, I’ve gone to Spain to put my feet up Hopefully the cat will remember to go and scan my season ticket before the game
If you think we have problems up front you should be watching Norwich - how many opportunities are they going to waist
Well i wonder how long it will be till we even see Welbeck? Long term ankle injury... great we signed a crocked player. Going by the BBC website here.
Jesus it’s like my old English classes from 30 years ago except you are probably not as big a psycho as my old English teacher - I grew up in a time where it was perfectly acceptable to throw things like staplers and board rubbers at students. Didn’t make my English any better , just made me hate it