Colwill: History making debut a surreal experience

With a first Albion win at Manchester United making the headlines on Sunday, Levi Colwill’s Premier League debut was somewhat overshadowed.

The 19-year-old defender, who arrived on loan from Chelsea last week, had only taken part in his first training session on Friday and was surprised to be handed his debut at Old Trafford.

“It was a surreal experience,” Levi said. “I wasn’t expecting to come on because I had just arrived, I wouldn’t have put me on if I was the manager! But I have a lot of respect for the gaffer for putting me on in an important moment.

“When I did go on, it didn’t feel real, I felt like I was dreaming. I headed the ball straight away and it woke me up, I thought ‘I’ve got to play now’. It was brilliant. I didn’t have time to think about it, that was the good thing.

"I was straight in the deep end, but we came out the other side with a win and that’s all that matters. I am happy.”

Albion’s tactical approach against United was a point of interest for many pundits, but Levi says that everyone in the squad is clear about the job they have to do on the pitch.

“I can’t remember seeing a 3-2-3-2 formation before, but when you understand football, you know why managers play certain formations.

“If you’re looking at it from outside of the pitch though, you probably don’t have a clue what’s going on! When you’re a part of the group, it makes so much sense.

“Graham has watched me play, so he knows what I am about. I have watched Brighton quite a few times so I know how they like to approach games, I understand the football.

“It suits me and compliments how I play. The gaffer said to me ‘come in and play your own game and you’ll be fine’. I trust him and that’s a big reason why I came here.”

Now the defender wants to build on his debut.

“Making history in my first game, I can’t complain! Hopefully we can do some more good things this season.”