It was a tough game for us at the Amex earlier this year when two late goals got us all 3 points and it’ s going to be another tough game on Sunday in a match that will be televised live around the world.
Rafa Benitez and Chris Hughton are also two of the gentlemen of the Premier League, and each is respected by other managers at the top level.
Newcastle have made a startling start to the season, and after losing our first two games like we did last year in the Championship, we have come back with three wins in a row for the first time in almost three years.
If we can make that four wins in a row on Sunday, it will be the first time we have done that in the Premier League since November 2013.
Rafa Benitez and Chris Hughton at the Amex last February
This is what Chris has told the Argus today – the local paper in Brighton:
“I think he has managed them expectations very well. A reflection of that is always the points you have got.”
“Any team getting promotion to the Premier League and starting the season with nine points out of a possible 15 is a very good achievement.”
“So certainly they’ve had a good start and continuity from last season.”
“They have a lot of players at this particular moment playing well who have been with them for a while now.”
“He’s a very good manager, very experienced and he will have gone through any situation that he’s faced.”
“Recruitment is not just about one window. Newcastle recruited very well last season.”
“And some of those players that are performing particularly well this season are players that played the whole of last season.”
Chris Hughton has done a terrific job at Brighton since he was appointed at the end of December 2014, and his principal aim this season will be to keep the Seagulls in the top flight – that’s Newcastle’s goal too.
And those are insightful words from Chris, and he’s right about the players we signed last year.
Players like Matt Ritchie, DeAndre Yedlin, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden, and Christian Atsu are all playing well for us this season and know exactly what Rafa wants from them since they came into the squad last year.
That’s an advantage we have, and we are hoping whatever hap[[pens through the end of the year Mike Ashley backs Rafa in the January transfer window.
Rafa is building up an excellent side at Newcastle, and it will help enormously if he can get the full backing of the Newcastle owner.
Then we could really be rocking next year!
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
jazzyp
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Comment #1Top bloke hoots.
Pity your gonna lose Sunday
jazzyp
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:17 AM
Comment #264% going for the win Sunday! Confidence is high
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:20 AM
Comment #3Shot Bru
Oh I see big problems – maybe not for away games but that is me being selfish as I cannot get/only rarely to away games – but for home games why should I miss-out seeing a home game just because the greedy Premiership clubs/owners want to make more money – unless Ashley pays for me and the rest of the 40,000 or so season ticket holders to fly to the game.
Plus the City and bars/shops/transport would make a hell of a loss on match days –
Plus how many would the Yanks stop coming in due to visa restrictions etc.,
As one poster has put TV and money is screwing cricket up since it went to SKY just look at the Ashes tests
ShirebrookToon
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:23 AM
Comment #4Jazzy
Don’t go into meltdown if we lose lol
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:25 AM
Comment #5Confidence is essential ?
We just need Hoosy Loo or Gayle to start scoring now…is Mitro back after the Brighton game?
ShirebrookToon
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:26 AM
Comment #6Money is destroying the beautiful game
Shot Bru
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:33 AM
Comment #7Charlie,
I do agree with you in some aspects of what you are saying.
You could play games closer to home in Dublin or Oslo too.
I am a Geordie , but have lived most of my life away from Newcastle. I still travel back to watch games when I can, and probably spend more money than most watching Nufc.
As an expat, like a few on here, it would be magic to see the club in our neck of the woods play a home game every now and then.
Nevermind Sky etc promoting the game overseas, us expats are the greatest ambassadors for NUFC and other EPL clubs overseas, and have been for decades.
jazzyp
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #8Shirebrook
Get back to work sunshine… ya spoiling my Optimism lol !!
ShirebrookToon
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #9Jazzy
Haha got a relaxed day today mate. Thought you would have gone the game seen as though your down that way!