'Tinkerman does it again!' Brighton fans fume as Yves Bissouma and Percy Tau benched at Leeds

Graham Potter's team selection for Brighton's crunch Premier League clash at Leeds came under heavy fire from Albion fans ahead of kick-off
Yves Bissouma is on the bench at Elland Road today much to the amazement of some Brighton fansYves Bissouma is on the bench at Elland Road today much to the amazement of some Brighton fans
Yves Bissouma is on the bench at Elland Road today much to the amazement of some Brighton fans

Potter was forced to shuffle his pack once more as five first team players - Aaron Connolly, Tariq Lamptey, Danny Welbeck, Adam Lallana and Alireza Jahanbakhsh - remain unavailable due to injury.

The main sticking point for Albion fans was Potter's decision to place Yves Bissouma on the bench, having served his one match suspension at Man City on Wednesday.

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Pascal Gross takes his place in midfield alongside Ben White, who will reunite with his former teammates from Leeds following his successful loan at Elland Road last season.

Percy Tau also had to settle for the bench after his encouraging Premier League debut at Man City. Leading scorer Neal Maupay returns to the starting XI ahead of the South African.

Alexis Mac Allister deservedly kept his place in the team after his fine display at the Etihad in midweek and as expected Solly March is back in for Bernardo, who has been linked with a January loan move away from the Amex to his old club RB Salzburg.

Albion's talented young academy graduates Max Sanders, Teddy Jenks, Reda Khadra are also included in the matchday squad for the second consecutive match.

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Brighton's starting XI: Sanchez; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Mac Allister, White, Gross; March, Trossard, Maupay. Subs: Walton, Bissouma, Alzate, Tau, Propper, Zeqiri, Sanders, Jenks, Khadra

Here's how the fans reacted on social media:

@MarkMalbas: I don’t usually criticise team selection pre-match but Bissouma, Propper & Alzate on the bench and White and Gross our central midfield ‍♂️ #bhafc

@BennettsField: Bissouma only on the bench. Trossard starting but Tau on bench. It’s times like this when it’s hard to stay backing Potter. Hope his plan works, whatever it is. ‍♂️ #bhafc

@BradStrat: I can *slightly* understand if you don't start Tau...slightly. However no Bissouma back in the starting XI is ridiculous. Struggling to work out our midfield shape. Potter doing himself no favours. That lineup selection writes the script for itself if we lose #BHAFC

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@AlbionFan51: Tau, bissouma, Pröpper on the bench, white out of position, zero energy in midfield, no natural CM, only 1 striker and an out of form trossard. Tinkerman does it again. Please how long can this go on for SACK HIM NOW #BHAFC

@wearebrighton: Brighton are playing a Leeds team who pour forward, leaving wide open gaps for a pacy side to exploit on the break. What does Graham Potter do? Drop Percy Tau #BHAFC

@drunkenstylee: Could this mean Biss could be leaving in January?

@JournoHaff: I'm shocked at the lack of Yves Bissouma in the starting XI today. The Mali international makes the bench, but surely he should be starting after coming back from his suspension? Especially with Kalvin Phillips absent for Leeds. Would have dominated the midfield battle! #BHAFC

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@SidTheSeagull3: No defending Potter today. If we lose and he’s decided to leave Bissouma and Tau out for arguably our biggest game of the season so far, then he deserves all the pelters heading his way. #BHAFC

@georgtayl Okay time to lump on leeds to win and not concede. We have 2 good cm’s on the bench but lets play dan burn and push white in midfield for NO reason. Game over before its started , well done #lufc #bhafc