After Sunday’s devastating defeat to Liverpool, an incredible Champions League draw and quiet deadline day, Newcastle are back in action and bidding to put things right as we travel to Brighton.
Last year, our early season trip to the Amex ended 0-0, with us fortunate to come away with a point after a string of superb saves from Nick Pope. This time around, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few goals.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls often dominate possession and are outstanding on their day, yet they were wide open on the counter last weekend as West Ham came away 3-1 winners. Both sides come into this after defeats and on the back of tough European draws. While we landed PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in the Champions League, Brighton have been grouped alongside Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens in the Europa League.
Back to the game itself, it’ll be interesting to see how we approach this one. Pressing from the front and playing a high line may be our style under Eddie Howe, but could that play into their hands? After all, sides who’ve won at the Amex in recent times have often had joy sitting deeper and striking on the counter, where the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron could cause havoc.
Team news
Eddie Howe has revealed there’s a “small chance” Sven Botman plays after scans showed bruising but no serious damage to his ankle. Elsewhere, a “late call” will be made on Joelinton after he too missed training this week.
It remains to be seen if Lewis Hall is fit enough to start and Javier Manquillo is back in training, but Joe Willock and Emil Krafth won’t feature once again.
For the hosts, deadline day signing Ansu Fati won’t play following his loan move from Barcelona and Danny Welbeck has been ruled out, meaning former Toon target Joao Pedro could return to their side.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
Sven Botman may have a slight chance of making this one, but I can’t see Eddie Howe taking the risk. It’s not ideal, but Dan Burn has played alongside Fabian Schar before, with the pair forming a formidable partnership over the final few months of the 2021/22 season.
Moving Burn to centre-back creates an opening at left-back. Lewis Hall was described as being “some way short” of match fitness after he was left out of our squad for Liverpool, so I can see Matt Targett coming in for just his third start since September.
It’s a rogue suggestion, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we played Tino Livramento at right-back to help cope with Mitoma’s pace, which Trippier really struggled with on our last trip to the Amex. That would see our vice captain play at left-back; a position he’s never taken up for Newcastle but one he’s experienced on several occasions for England.
I expect the midfield to stay the same if Joelinton passes his late fitness test. He’s a machine so I’m backing him to be OK, but it’ll be between Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson if big Joe misses out.
In attack I am torn. Does Howe stick by Miggy or bring in Harvey Barnes, which would see Gordon play down the right? A part of me expects him to stand by Almiron – who was unlucky not to score twice last weekend – but Barnes and Gordon could be devastating on the counter.
Callum Wilson is yet to start any of our four league games, but is this the time when Isak’s pace and dribbling may be our biggest weapon on the break?
Predicted Brighton XI: Steele – Milner, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinian – Gross, Dahoud – March, Joao Pedro, Mitoma – Ferguson.
One to watch: Karou Mitoma – The Japanese winger has proven to be unplayable on his day and is flanked by all-action left-back Pervis Estupinian. Trippier and our right winger will have their hands full, but this could create openings at the other end if they overcommit. Hopefully we win the battle down that side.
Prediction
A tough test and a big game for both after losses in our last Premier League outing. We have a habit under Eddie Howe of responding to damaging defeats and I think we’ll cause them problems.
Standing up to the test defensively could be tough without Botman, yet I see us causing chaos on the counter and posing much more of a threat than we did at Man City. Barnes and Isak to score in a score draw on the South Coast.
Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Newcastle
HWTL!
You’re probably right Olly. Botman may be fit but if not I’d spring a surprise and play Dummett there. On the right I’d drop Miggy and play Livramento there. Good luck Mitoma against those two.
HTL 2-0
georgio(Quote)
think he might give Lewis a run out in this game,we need more of a attack doown the left side imo
icedog(Quote)
I love the look of that forward line and think Gordon / Barnes fluidly changing wings behind isak through the middle is a tasty prospect .. we know isak can play wide too so a rotating front three will be difficult to play against if they nail it
I don’t think Howe drops almiron tho.
If joelinton not fit I see longstaff starting that role and Anderson to finish. Id prefer the other way round
If botman not playing I also like
Dummett to come in
Whatever team Howe picks I hope they get after Brighton in an aggressive but smart approach. If nufc go full on Brighton could pick ‘em off and the full throttle approach will also aggravate the crowd. It’s no SJP but it can get a bit raucous there to urge the home on.
I’ll be content with a draw but nufc should be after a win
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
On the fluidity I refer to I listened to a podcast this week ( olly, I listen to yours too 😁) and they were asking if nufc got the players they really wanted this window. Specifically calling out no DCM and no RWF
I think the question is flawed and ignores what Howe wants which is a versatile set of players.
Of the first team I would Suggest only pope( obviously) botman and Wilson are specialists.
Tonali / guimaraes is the key in my opinion. Can they become seamless in switching as a 6 and 8? Signs have been mixed but I guess it’s something they may be working towards
I’ve talked a little about Gordon playing across the front three (and I do think by season end almiron will be a regular sub) which addresses the RWF query
Not saying I’m absolutely convinced about it but this seems
To be what Howe wants and he’s done well so far
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I’ll be honest, I’m not impressed with Bruno so far this season. Something is holding him back from being the player we saw last season. I’d drop him to the bench and play Anderson in his place. I doubt Eddie will do that but Bruno needs to sort himself out.
This will be yet another tough fixture.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yes another tough fixture, hope Bruno has a better game this week,and agree that Anderson should get a start.
kimtoon(Quote)
So Bruno, Joelinton and Targett start and Burn into centre back. Miggy starts too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh dear Chelsea! How much did you spend again? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Not sure whats up with us but we look slow and disjointed
kimtoon(Quote)
Well Bruno not good and Brighton bossing things so far 🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And there you are, Pope in a mess there, they deserve the lead, we are a effin mess, what has happened to us since last season.
kimtoon(Quote)
Going to get smashed here if we don’t sort our sh.it out soon. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Isak unusually wasteful and individual errors again🙄 .. pope this time
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Soft from the ref nothing in that schar challenge after estupunan clobbered tonali with no yellow
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Very poor first half. I’d haul off Bruno and maybe Joelinton or Miggy too. Eddie needs to sort them out now. Get Anderson on and Murphy too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We are awful. 🤬
A bit like this site right now, with comments not appearing
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brighton had the better half .. no surprises they’re a fucking good side . I don’t think nufc are awful. Def not fluent but had plenty chances and not out of this game yet. Can’t concede a 2nd tho
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Poor defending that like
This game is gone
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Absolutely fucking fuming… 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sorry, but we ARE AWFUL, FUCKING AWFUL
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Poor collapse. Looks like heads have gone.
And again poor defending unlucky deflection maybe, but 3 around him and none pressing the ball so Ferguson earned his luck
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
This is awful!!
Forget heaping praise – that was done last season when it was earned & it needs to be earned again this season.
Listen to Pep talk the season after they won the treble!!.
Brighton have been good, but our sloppy play (AGAIN) has made them look better.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I just don’t get why Tonali was taken off. Bruno has been shocking but Tonali has worked hard . Another mistake
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Terrible performance. But credit to Brighton who played really well. Done like a kipper today. Very bad start to the season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We have brought new players into the club, but I don’t think we have strengthened at all.
Tonali is a better player than Longstaff – but does he bring that much different to the team?! – I’m not suggesting this is Tonalis fault, I just think we haven’t changed or strengthened from last season.
Miggy isn’t good enough & Botman out of that team shows how poor our defence is.
But not just that – the mistakes we are making is costing us dearly. Pope for the first, the amount of time we gave the lad for the second, the time we allowed him to set for the 3rd. Last week, Bruno getting caught on the ball for Liverpools first, Burns mistake for the 2nd – it’s not teams blowing us away, it’s sloppy play!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)