Gallowgate Toon

I've found him fine recently but today was one of his days where he delayed every decision and it really wasn't good - it just slowed us down. He and Hayden should've been off after 60 minutes.

Murphy is raw but would've been absolutely no harm in trying him out today for the final 20. We needed some more pace and direct play out wide, especially with Ritchie off the boil.

As Perez is pretty much playing as a second striker and not a #10, I'd honestly look to try Gayle in the same system with Joselu in certain games. They could rotate between that second role accordingly.

Joselu's link up before today has always looked very decent to me. He wasn't at it today, though.

The most annoying thing is this is the sort of game we should be drawing when we don't play well. Absolutely moronic decision from Lascelles with that free kick, man. Frustrating.

Yeah, I'm not feeling Hayden at this level yet. Doesn't deserve to start the next one, IMO.

Not good enough. Had chances, didn't take them, stupid mistake from Lascelles cost us a needless goal. Thought Rafa made a really poor choice in keeping Perez on. He was having a poor second half, slowing everything down, and it totally allowed Brighton to sit deep and nullify Gayle without a focal point around him. Joselu will get stick for the last 2 games but that's still too small a sample size to judge. He wasn't in the game enough is my biggest criticism.

Poor defending.

Again, fairly comfortable and had some good chances. We should really have buried one, as should Brighton.

Don't we have a relatively high number of shots per game? We're hardly West Brom. We attack quickly and efficiently when we have the ball. I watched the West Ham and Stoke games with a neutral and he enjoyed both.

I'm pretty sure Lejeune is right-footed. I also really want to see him play more but he'll get his chance soon enough.

The best thing about him is his touch on the ball. He shows some outstanding close control - so aware of everything around him.

Loved seeing him back. Great sight to see him flying up and down, like. He'll be a massive asset this year.

Shelvey's a better overall passer, no doubt. He can do it all. Merino is good at it but he's less creative.

More than half of this league is s**** though. We'll be fine Aye. 4 of the 5 teams we've faced have been 'shit' and we've been pretty comfortable in and have deserved to win 3 of those, should've drawn the other. There's plenty more in this league just like it. Also, Stoke finished top 9 three years on the bounce until last year. They're hardly shit; they're average.

Have always felt with Rafa in charge we won't go down. There is quality in this squad, they simply need to be managed correctly.

Hard work and some genuine quality. Top result. Should've been 4-3!

They're definitely better at 'keeper and CB but they've been playing Diouf and Pieters at wing back, neither of which would strike me with confidence. They've got Fletcher and Allen central, I honestly think our options there are a lot better. Attacking, Shaqiri is very talented but it'll be whether he's in the mood on the day. Jese and Moting are a bit 'meh'. They're better overall but I really don't think by much of a margin. I don't think we'll lose but I don't think we'll win. 1-1.

Murphy's runs off the ball will be an asset against them, if they do come and sit back. He's picked up good positions with good movement in his limited minutes. I wouldn't mind him starting but best for his confidence if he's a sub; his brain is a second behind PL football at the minute. I'd be quite tempted to play Shelvey-Merino, tbh, but I think Rafa will wait to see how they set up before bringing Shelvey in. If they're deep and trying to counter, he's a great weapon to have, especially if he can't be marked out with Merino next to him.

It's good to have some goal scoring defenders again.

Even though he was/is such a dick, I really like Remy. Think he's probably the player I enjoyed watching most for us since our 'good' days - plays with so much style.

He's not really playing like a traditional 10 which is helping him. I think he's doing OK but it's a massive shame we didn't buy someone for the position that could absolutely own it.

Absolute Rafa performance and it was bloody great - we'll see this quite a bit this season, I'm sure. We were so disciplined and well drilled. Merino was excellent again and Lascelles had a stormer, but I was so impressed with Ritchie. Absolute leader in this squad, in terms of leading by example, with his doggedness and determination. Got some decent quality in him as well, like I thought the team selection was just about bang on. Sent the perfect message to the squad - you have to play well to be in this side, nobody is bigger than the team.

He's still adjusting (and young). He'll eventually be a consistently good Prem player, he's going to be learning a lot this season though.

He'll be fine. He reminded me a little of Merino vs Huddersfield - simply caught out by the pace, a little nervous. He has the tools to succeed long term but it's going to be his brain that gets him some short-term success for this season. Once his head 'gets' the tempo & how to cover his limitations, he'll be very useful.