Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

Brighton fans comment ahead of Newcastle match – It isn’t big it’s MASSIVE

6 years ago
Share

Brighton fans are split when looking ahead to Sunday’s match.

Many assume that Newcastle will definitely be one of those fighting relegation throughout this season, whilst others believe that Rafa Benitez is orchestrating a safe transition back into the Premier League.

However, all the Brighton fans appear to be united on one thing, that this is a massive game for the home side.

Even if believing Newcastle will end up safe thanks mainly to Rafa, those Seagulls supporters still believe it is imperative that Chris Hughton’s team get something from the game.

Defeat to Newcastle would see Brighton on four points from six games and a visit to Arsenal coming up next.

The summer trading saw net spends for the promoted teams of £48m for Brighton, £43m Huddersfield and only £11.5m Newcastle – leading to fears of NUFC being left behind by even the other two who came up.

For Newcastle fans, a win at Brighton would mean 12 points from six games and guarantee a place in the top four heading into a juicy home game with Liverpool – sounds good to me!

Brighton fans comment via their top North Stand Chat message board:

‘If we wish to remain in the Premier League we need to beat teams at home like Newcastle.’

‘Despite their decent start, Newcastle are very much likely to be in the same mini-league as us, and it’s these games at home where three points are absolutely vital.’

‘See I’m not certain they are in our mini league. I just think they’ll canter to a 11-14th finish with ease.

The only good thing is we don’t mess around with that Zonal marking sloblocks so Lascelles shouldn’t score.’

‘Feels a very pivotal game.

Win and think we may have a chance with home record being strong. Lose and will confirm that we are in all probability likely to do a Boro.

Fortune favours the brave Mr Hughton.’

‘It’s a home game…….So like last season we will probably go 1 up then defend for our lives sitting deeper and deeper making 0 substitutions to change the game and eventually lose, but hey at least there will be positives to take away.’

‘Was last season, the season we got promoted?

Asking for a friend.’

‘Ah yes I forgot how shockingly poor our home form was last season.’

‘Was referring to Newcastle game last season! And being slightly sarcastic.’

‘The absolutely critical matches this season are Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke, Palace, Burnley and Watford at home as this is where we can pick up the points required to give us a chance of survival.

They all come to The Amex in September-December and we have to pick up a minimum of 10 points from those six games. If we don’t, I think we’re as good as down by the new year unless we pull off some shock results elsewhere to compensate.’

‘Some games are definitely bigger than others. At home to lower half teams is our chance to get 3 points, and we’ll need plenty of those to stay up.

This Sunday is definitely a bigger game than the one against Arsenal. Sure, both are worth the same number of points, but we’re unlikely to get 3 at Arsenal.’

‘I think this is a massive one, we lose this and I think it wouldn’t be too harsh for pundits and fans to assume Palace and us are relegation fodder.’

‘It is a big game and I do think 3 points are essential even at this early stage.

I thought we paid too much respect to Newcastle in the two games last season, we made them look better than they were, so I’m hoping we’re more confident and on the front foot this time.

Since he’s been here, Hughton has always been fantastic at remaining calm and picking the players up after poor results and I expect him to do the same again, I think we’ll sneak it.’

‘Newcastle you do expect to be bottom half and it’s these teams we need the home wins against. Will define whether we stay up or not.’

‘Quite a few on here laughed at Newcastle throughout the summer, following the tabloid narrative of them being a relegation car crash in waiting.

We were told their summer business was a disaster and that Rafa (hated by some on here for some odd reason) would walk.

In reality, Rafa’s coaching class has come through yet again and they’re playing well.’

‘On current form NUFC are not struggling like us and other teams, so i’m hopeful of a result but not confident with the way we are playing atm.’

‘The cliché is that every game is a big game, and it’s true. But I get your point… a home game against Newcastle is a match that we should be picking up points in.’

‘We were the best side in the Championship last year and yet, of the 3 promoted sides, we are by far the most negative in our thinking and approach and it’s reflected in the early results.’

‘I don’t rate our chances much. Benitez is a quality manager and outdid us last time. But we must get something from the game. 4 points from 6 games will be a pretty useless return.’

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks