OPINION
If there is one thing that will be on Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez’ mind, it will be grabbing all three points against the Seagulls on Saturday in this must-win clash.
United came ever so close against Manchester United before the international break, and the fans no doubt think that the team should be rewarded for their efforts with a victory over the Seagulls at St James’ Park.
It is clear that Benitez needs to switch things up a bit in order to lift them from the bottom three of the Premier League, otherwise things will be looking very bleak indeed if they fail to get a result at home.
As such, two changes must be made to the side that take on the Seagulls, with summer recruits Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon, who has been out with injury, coming in, Javier Manquillo – who is on £35,000-a-week [Spotrac] – and Ayoze Perez being given the chop.
Martin Dubravka will remain between the sticks for this match after a number of consistent displays.
Operating with three central defenders, including a rare start for Schar, along with two wing-backs is just what Benitez needs in order to spring some energy back into Newcastle’s step – this means that DeAndre Yedlin and Kenedy will operate further forward, a tactical switch that allows Benitez to utilise Yedlin’s pace more when going forward – an asset that he has already shown this season.
Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame must be deployed to steady the ship in the centre of the midfield, while alongside Rondon up top should be Matt Ritchie and Yoshinori Muto, who has demonstrated what he can do after his goal against the Red Devils recently.
This tactical switch will allow Benitez to test Brighton’s defensive capabilities to the maximum, and there is no doubt that this team will rip their opponents to shreds.
