Brighton, Aston Villa and Chelsea are in the race for Strasbourg's 23-year-old Ivory Coast right-back Guela Doue. (Football Transfers), external
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Joe Sayers
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is very easy to get caught up in the negativity after a loss, especially against a team we have historically done very well against.
But I would like to at least try to highlight a positive from this season so far to hopefully improve the mood.
Yasin Ayari, ever since coming into the side consistently last season, has grown in ability with almost every stride he has taken on the pitch. He is unafraid of challenges, demanding possession and progressing the ball forwards with great control.
Whilst he impressed during a couple of loan moves to the Championship during the 2023-24 season, not many would have expected him to come in and be one of the first names on the teamsheet just a few seasons later.
He has always shown an intelligence on the ball, but what has really stood out for me is his willingness to take responsibility in the middle of the park whilst going face-to-face with some of the best midfielders in the world.
He has got an incredible knack for finding pockets of space to exploit the opposition, and a brilliant intelligence to allow space to open up around him for more time to carve out bigger and better chances.
We are a club built on patience, and Ayari is the perfect example of why we should remain patient as we nurture more talent that will inevitably help us in the long run. It is worth remembering that our Swedish midfield general is still only 22, so there is so much more to come from him.
It is easy for outside eyes to miss Ayari with Carlos Baleba taking all of the headlines, but he brings such different qualities, provides a fantastic balance to our midfield and is often the catalyst that propels the team forwards.
Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Wedneday's Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 19:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
James Milner has "suffered a small muscle issue" so is unavailable for the fourth-round tie. Kaoru Mitoma and Brajan Gruda "are getting closer" to a return but Wednesday's game will come too soon for them to feature.
He said they are "getting closer to having a bigger squad" again "which is a good thing" as Joel Veltman is also nearing a return.
On opponents Arsenal: "The table tells the truth. They are doing very well out of possession and from set pieces and they are very disciplined. It will be a big challenge for us."
He said "it is not just Gabriel" that is a threat for the Gunners from set pieces as "they do it very well together and have really good patterns". Hurzeler added: "On the other side, we are quite good in defending and we are quite confident that we are capable of defending against them."
He acknowledged how set pieces are "getting more important in the Premier League" and how they are also "trying to build a set-piece culture but that doesn't come overnight and it needs time".
On balancing squad rotation for the cup: "We have to believe and we really trust the young players because they are here for a reason. It is not about age, it is about quality but for sure you need a good balance in the team."
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
United fans
Dave: Three wins on the trot. Oooh the Devils are hotting up. There's so much more for opposition teams to fear with this new look squad. This could be the start of something good.
Bob: We were better, Brighton were terrible, hopefully because we are becoming harder to play against. The teamwork is finally showing but we still have a few players who aren't getting the message. Overall a massive improvement and plenty of hope there's more to come, which is the first time I've thought that for about 15 years.
Carl: The team worked very hard and pressed the ball well. We coped well with some strange decisions and did not let that spoil our flow. The seeds of improvement are there for all to see and we now just need to add consistency and who knows what we can achieve. Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko look a threat and we're growing defensively, long may it continue.
Brighton fans
Philip: Hurzeler has to take responsibility for this poor performance. Why keep playing Baleba when he is clearly out of form? When James Milner comes on the team respond positively time and time again. We must cut out the silly mistakes that have cost us many times this season and perhaps replace Dunk with Coppola. Looking like a mid-table season at best.
Tim: After a bright start, we gave the ball away in our own third time and time again and were inevitably punished for it. Our central midfield was non-existent with Baleba running around like a headless chicken and Ayari half asleep. We have to do something about our defensive weaknesses or the season will fall apart.
Tony: We were poor, far too many simple mistakes, giving the ball away time and time again. Baleba was awful and Minteh had his worse game of the season. Definitely a foul by Shaw before the third goal - no idea why VAR didn't intervene - but didn't really make a difference as we were so bad. One day we will keep a clean sheet!
David: Brighton never give up and almost stole a point. Hurzeler mad a big mistake in giving the defence an early day off. The one really good thing which we got from the game after that display and being poor in the last few games is Baleba must now be well down the Manchester United wanted list.
