Brighton and Hove Albion - Starting XI

---------------------Areola
Omeruo-----Kouyate-----Abidal-----Oczipka
--------------Britton------Samper
Green-------------Halilovic------------Lingard
----------------------Henry


Subs: Ondoa, Hojbjerg, Toral, Rowe, Kane

Squad: Ondoa, Ofori-Antwi, Perrey, Suliman, Robert, Roberts, Schöpf

Injured: Sturridge, Lallana, Janko, Keane


Our game plan for week 2 is to play a high pressing game, we want that ball back as quickly as possible, we don't want to let them settle. To do this we will chase it down in packs to make it difficult for our opponents to pass the ball around us. Our midfield will dictate the play but they will keep the ball moving looking for forward passes to our pacey attacking players who can peel off their markers to receive the ball.

From our goal kicks we'll look to play the ball out efficiently, we will pass from the defence, to the midfield to attack. We'll look to move the ball relatively quickly, each player only having a few touches of the ball to keep the tempo of our play up and keep our opponents chasing us, thus tiring themselves out. To do this we'll need to create triangles to play our way through our opponents. Our shooting will not be restricted, if a player gets a shot on goal in and around the penalty area they will take it unless they see a pass as a better option, and the two players closest to the ball will follow it up each side of the keeper just incase he spills and attempted save.

Areola takes his place in goal, the Under 20 world cup winner has been in sparkling form this season and has gone from strength to strength. At 6'4 he is a commanding presence in the box. He'll be coming to claim anything in and around his 6 yard box. He's a very good distributor of the ball and he'll look to play out via the defence and midfield rather the hit the ball long.

Omeruo starts for us at right back, he's already played against the top names in world football, in doing so winning the African Nations Cup with Nigeria. He's strong, quick and powerful, he'll be able to get up and down the pitch with ease. He'll be looking to push on and pin their left handside back in their own half as well as providing width to us in attack.

Oczipka will take the left back role, we've checked over his registration and we can confirm that LSTD does not own him in anyway shape or form. The Frankfurt defender is quick and intelligent. He likes to get forward and is solid defensively.

I've gone for Kouyate and Abidal as my centre back pairing, combing pace, power and aerial ability, with experience and knowhow. Both players are comfortable with the ball at their feet and will look to play the ball out through the midfield. We won't be sitting deep, our goal is the push our opponents back into their own half of the pitch.

The central midfield area is made up of a pass master Leon Britton and the more defensive minded Samper. Britton will keep us ticking over with his passing, we'll look to win the possession battle in the middle of the park. Alongside him will be Samper, he's our defensive midfielder, though he's got enough about him to suggest he could be a more well rounded player. He's also good on the ball and can find a pass.

Attack, attack, attack attack attack! You can hear the Blackp... I mean Brighton fans roaring already! I've gone for a very fluid, fast and skilful attacking set up, the likes that have seen teams such as Liverpool, Southampton and co be so successful this year.

We start with Green of Bayern Munich, he's capable of playing anywhere in our front 4 positions. He has pace, fishing and can beat a man, he'll be a vital cog in getting in behind our opponents. Lingard will take the left hand side, he's good on the ball and likes to drift inside at times, he'll work with Oczipka overlapping.

Halilovic will take up the role in the middle, he's already got a few seasons under his belt at such a tender age, he's a direct attacking player best utilised in the middle of the pitch though he can operate in wider positions. He'll be able to interchange with Green and Lingard to keep a fluidity to our game.

The man to lead the line is Henry, a veteran of the game but still intelligent and deadly. He's got plenty of pace around him, he'll bring the cutting edge and composure where we need it up top.


Subs if losing after 70 minutes:

Hojbjerg > Britton to up the intensity
Rowe > Green

Subs if winning after 70 mins:

Hojbjerg > Halilovic - move to 4-3-3/4-5-1
Kane > Henry - focal point up top