Goalkeepers, Gayle And Three Points – Changes Possible Against Brighton?

Jake Swinburn
Chris Hughton

Lets start off with the weekends game against Bristol City.

I’m sure that it was a game that most fancied Newcastle to win, and all the talk on the radio was on how many goals that they would score in the process.

However, despite being the clear, odds-on favourites to win the game, Newcastle found themselves two goals down, in what felt like no time at all.

The first was a great header from Bristol City’s Aaron Wilbraham, who found himself unmarked amongst appeals for offside.

The second, a clanger by Karl Darlow, which saw a mix up between him and Paul Dummett.

In the second half however, Newcastle did play some brilliant stuff,  clawing their way back from two goals down, with Christian Atsu in particular, being excellent.

Moving on to tomorrow, despite his great performance, there never seems to be any guarantees that Atsu will retain his starting place, so don’t rule out a recall for Yoan Gouffran.

It would come as a surprise if that was the only change, with Grant Hanley and Rob Elliot possibly deserving of a game.

However, the question that everyone wants to know is will Dwight Gayle feature.

It’s true that, in the majority of games that he has missed, Newcastle have managed to cope well without their top scorer, but it would most certainly be a huge boost if he could play tomorrow, ahead of what could be the biggest week of the season for Rafa Benitez and his team.

 

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139 thoughts on “Goalkeepers, Gayle And Three Points – Changes Possible Against Brighton?”

  9. Maybe Rafa was right and Jabba was wrong about us needing a couple of players in January to freshen things up. Who knew!

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  37. That bit of class from Ritchie – what a ball!

    Our good run of form continues and we go to Huddersfield with confidence. What will that do to Brighton?

    We didn’t deserve to lose and they only scored from a dodgy pen but what a win!

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  39. Well I didn’t feel confident at all today and when Brighton scored I feared the worse.

    But we won it with my 4-4-2 line up in the end ?

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  45. What a ‘kin result! Well done to Rafa and a big well done to tje players for showing heart and character in the toughest game of the season (on paper).

    Also, congrats to Schteve McClaren. On another famed nose dive. Gone from playoffs to well outside and now 2 points taken from last 18 ?

    Happy 30th Kim ???

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  46. what an amazing comeback. A freak goal, Diame as ever standing like a buffoon, ball bounces off him and in. Brightons heads dropped. Great ball for Perezs goal

    Brighton lost a lot of confidence when we beat them up here, hopefully they do the same again
    TOON TOON

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  51. Icedog:
    Happy birthday mate,same day as my anniversary too,a lot of years

    A great gift for us both

    Ice – happy anniversary buddy ?

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  52. we are a better team with a front man to aim to. Too much pressure was on us without being able to hold onto the ball up front.

    If Gayle isnt fit for Huddersfield, we should start Murphy. We looked a much better team with him on. Or was this Rafas plan? tire them out and hit them late on? dont this so. A slice of luck from Diame game us the belief to go on and win it

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  54. Well we’ve all heard of the rabbona, but Diame invented the Travolta tonight with the old nightfever back heal ?? ?

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  55. Happy Birthday, Kim.

    This result is so big that I reckon it means if we beat Huddersfield on Saturday we would be too far ahead to be caught imo.

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  56. Cheers lads 35 great years

    Funny last two games we have improved when unless *** Colback went off,just wish jabba had let Rafa bring in a m/f in Jan

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  57. Well hopefully Hud get thumped on Wed their manager has a touch line ban for our game as well,I don’t like the guy

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  59. Happy birthday Kim and happy anniversary Ice. Our goal was as jammy as hell, but they should never have had the penalty so I think we earned that – although I’m not sure we looked as comfortable as the beeb have made out, Brighton just totally sat back after the first goal. Some huge games in the run in, but this was the biggest so well done lads, win the next 6 and we’ll be fine 😆

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  60. I think that’s the best I’ve seen Newcastle play all season.

    We certainly looked more comfortable with a target man. Murphy made all the difference, though he didn’t actually do a lot personally. His presence just seemed to give everybody some hope when getting the ball near the box. He should play more often.

    Darlow was a star.

    I feared the worst when the penalty was given – not another **** ref, I thought. But in all fairness to him he had a pretty good game – as measured by my refometer, which counts the number of swear words aimed at the officials throughout the game.

    Fluke of an equaliser. So I guess that’s our compensation for 7 years of bad luck. Now we have to wait another 7 years for the next one.

    Terrific 2nd goal – superb pass to Atsu, great control by Atsu, lovely ball to find the mark, and unbelievably Perez actually connects properly (his once in 10 games treat).

    We might have a chance of winning at Huddersfield as well – if we can stop Aaron Mooy from playing. And then Reading. But no doubt, Newcastle being Newcastle, we’ll lose against Wigan or somebody. I’m much happier when we play the better teams.

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  61. A belated happy birthday Kim. Couldn’t get on the site after the game and I need my beauty sleep more than most. Hope you are only one year older. I put on several years last night and it’s not even my birthday. I thought although Murphy isn’t fast he anticipates well and gets in good positions. That is what is lacking in Mitro’s game. I would still like to see Anita play because he reads the game well, is a good passer and importantly keeps the ball down. We play better with the ball on the deck. Take the second goal for example. Still buzzing with the result and our league position is vastly improved.

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  62. Don’t know what happened to Brighton last night. They seemed to go to pieces when we pressed. Maybe there’s fear after the last two years as nearly men.

    Our second was a real class goal. Deserved to win any game and the perfect timing of 89 mins. Enjoyable night!!

    Dummett was a lot better last night but it looks to me that Colback’s days are numbered.

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  63. georgio:
    Don’t know what happened to Brighton last night. They seemed to go to pieces when we pressed. Maybe there’s fear after the last two years as nearly men.

    Our second was a real class goal. Deserved to win any game and the perfect timing of 89 mins. Enjoyable night!!

    Dummett was a lot better last night but it looks to me that Colback’s days are numbered.

    Colback should never have had any days,you can see why Rafa wanted a m/f in Jan pity jabba didnt see it

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