Tomaszk

Loads of great saves. So good. Kicking long a bit meh, went out of play a lot but you can see there was a plan there. Targets not being hit as opposed to slices or miskicks sailing out for a throw.

He's just stuck himself behind Davis. What a terrible 15 minute appearance.

He ain't good enough at DM and he knows it. Puts himself out of harms way so he can't receive the ball when we need him to. Controls it the way he is facing and always always goes to the left foot, you can watch him once and see how you get the ball off him. Maybe, maybe he can play as one of the two further forward but he's doesn't have engine like McGinn or ball carrying like Grealish so he'll have to reinvent the role somewhat to succeed there.

No problem with that. Sensible.

Oh what a shame. Let's see if we improve when we have better players in their positions. Bet we do. What's your point again? You can't criticise anything when we lose a game? I disagree.

Oh no, I thought you'd gone away.

Mings, Engels, Heaton, McGinn had good games. Full backs were passable at best. Naturally people's opinions of their game may be over-egged because they're both poor players. If we've spent £20m on two full backs worse than than Elmo and Taylor I'm worried our recruitment team.

Powderpuff stuff. He'll look loads better when he's got a capable left back supporting him though.

It looked a foul on the final replay, but Grealish hardly complained so I think he got caught as well as ball getting knocked it the same movement. --- I also don't want Jack to start hoofing it. I want the rest of the team to play like he does and pass the ball.

Menace for sure. Plenty to improve on. Should have squared it to Wes for a golden chance for 2-0. Great run for Grealish who I thought should have carried on and used him as a dummy.

He chose to start Elmo and Taylor and leave Guilbert and Targett out. Grim decision making. Damn grim recruitment if we've signed full backs worse than those who weren't very good in Championship. Newbies both look like they have strengths to me so for now I'll stick with the decision making. Think he was throwing old dogs a bone. Place is yours unless your play yourself out. Hopefully both full backs and Hourihane all out of next week's team.

Really really good.

We'll see but it would be a disaster if he can't get in the the team. Pointless loan. I wanted him to go to league one, but he wasn't really in pomp team last year before his injury.

Time to get mean Wes. No good fighting Walsall players if you're going to throw yourself on the floor whenever you feel a bit of pressure in league games. We need him to be better. Kodj was an embarrassment.

When the challenges came right at him he was good actually. No one got round him. Didn't look comfortable to me a lot of the time though, ball spooning up in the air around him. Very unsure of him and Mings communicating, they were either too narrow or had someone between them and neither marking. So negative in possession, it kills moves dead. It kills us holding possession at all dead. Ball makes it's way out to him, he ponders, waits for everyone to get closed down then goes back to the CB who now has few options other than the keeper. Why a new £10-14m player wouldn't start ahead of him is perplexing. I worry for us in that area if Taylor is a better defensive option. Hause? Mings? Give me McGinn or Marvelous there ahead of Taylor.

Did what he does all the time. A very Hourihane performance. Puts pressure on everyone around him, which is the whole side when he's playing DM. Not good enough to be in that position.

Grealish obviously a cockup, but had had no pass on 80% he got the ball that second half. Usual story of players running away when you need to be brave and get on the ball. He lapsed and dwelled stationary for too long, he had been trying to pass the ball otherwise.

Those full backs and Hourihane out the side and we can win matches. As in the Championship, Hourihane of no use unless we're dominating. Passenger. Wesley, Kodjia and El Ghazi need to toughen up sharpish. People aren't going to give you the ball.

Danny Rose being sat down very enjoyable. We're so narrow at the back. They'll be looking to get wide and in behind us second half.

COME ON NEIL, GIVE US ANOTHER 45

Brighton didn't have Neil Taylor playing.

"Smith has written this off. Doesn't want to knock confidence team he wants to pick when our season starts next weekend. Luiz, Targett, Guilbert all start at Villa Park."

Neil Taylor blunderbuss opener in the first 5 mins. Hitzlsperger stuff.

We won't have to wait long

He can't defend. He can cross.