Newcastle Toons
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Newcastle United should be confident when they play Brighton

By Durim Halimi

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Joselu of Newcastle United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on September 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Joselu of Newcastle United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on September 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are winless after eight matches, but they should be confident ahead of their match against Brighton on October 20th.

Newcastle United are in the Premier League’s basement at the moment with zero wins and two points from a possible 24. Several factors have contributed to the current crisis on Tyneside, but the rigorous schedule Newcastle were handed to start the 2018-19 campaign certainly had a major impact.

In their first eight matches, Newcastle have played Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. The only standard member of the top six that Newcastle are yet to play is Liverpool (December 26th).

Newcastle have had their ups and downs against every opponent, but the Magpies have shown flashes of top quality football against Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. For this reason, it is important for Newcastle to realize that they can play entertaining football and they have every right to be confident against mediocre and inferior opponents.

The Season Starts Now

Some people will disagree with this, but the season truly does get reset starting today. The lack of spending from Mike Ashley has left Newcastle behind several Premier League clubs in terms of roster quality. This is why no one expected the Magpies to do anything at the start of the season, even though they should have snagged at least three or four points against some giants.

Newcastle are fully capable of defeating Brighton at St. James’ Park and they can steal three points against Southampton on the road. How can that be when Newcastle only drew with Cardiff City?

Well, Newcastle traveled to Cardiff at the worst possible time. It was the second game of the season and it was Cardiff City’s first home match in the Top Flight since 2013. Newcastle played in a loud, hostile environment that favored the Bluebirds, and if Kenedy did not miss his penalty kick the Magpies would have claimed three points.

Newcastle are still in shock from losing to Manchester United yesterday after leading 2-0 at halftime, but Newcastle’s offensive performance should serve as a confidence-builder ahead of a lenient schedule. Rafa Benitez needs to remind his men that they still have 30 matches left to play, which provides them with plenty of time to earn a mid-table finish.

With a performance record of 2-2-4, Brighton is off to a decent start, but three of their four losses were away from home. St. James’ Park is not an easy place for mid-table sides to play and Newcastle must utilize their home support to claim their first victory of the season against the Seagulls.