Even the most Pro-Pardew supporters out there must have thought at the end of the summer transfer window, why did we not sign a proper long term defensive midfielder? to provide that shield we are missing and to protect defenders that are now being exposed.

You can still play attacking exciting football, but the best teams can mix it up. That is what a supposed tactical genius is meant to look at!!! But we don't mix it up, and because of our blinkered approach to just signing only attack minded players, we cannot come up with Plan B's and C's. Also the fact that we did not get better cover for both our full back positions was unbelievably short sighted

I presume that was what, the mostly invisible, Flamini was signed for.

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)

I tend to agree. I thought a lot of our defensive shape came from essentially a 5 man defence, whereby a fullback could surge forward and the DM covered the gap. For me Ledley is the closest we have to that role now, but despite his beautiful manliness, he's made a few errors.

Hopefully a DM will be on the list for January.

I thought Cabaye was meant to be our defensive midfielder, well according to the stats every one seems to quote , and that is where he always seems to be standing , just in front of the two CB's.

William carvalho from sporting.

John Obi Mikel.