Playmaker axed in Benitez 4-5-1: Newcastle best possible XI to play Brighton
COMMENT By Danny Wright
Newcastle should switch to a 4-4-2 to accommodate the strike partnership of Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic in their best possible line-up to play Brighton on Tuesday.
Rafa Benitez has utilised a 4-5-1 for most of the season with his two star strikers competing for with each other, however the pair of them should be able to strike up a brilliant partnership playing together on the front line.
Gayle missed the 2-2 draw with Bristol City on Saturday through injury but Benitez revealed he could be fit for their next match. He should come in to replace playmaker Ayoze Perez.
Jack Colback should also be dropped for a series of poor performances and he will be replaced by Mohamed Diame.
The former Sunderland man put in a very poor shift against Bristol and was subbed off by Benitez in the 58th minute.
Karl Darlow, despite a rocky few matches, remains Newcastle’s best hope in goal and a recall for Rob Elliot or Matz Sels would not be worth the risk in such a high-stake game.
Newcastle will have to beat Brighton to return to the top of the Championship table.
The Seagulls took advantage of the Magpies’ draw with Bristol and thrashed play-off contenders Reading 3-0 to show their title-winning credentials.
Paul Dummett was also a poor performer in the stalemate on Saturday but he will keep his place in the side as he seems a better option than Massadio Haidara given his form over the season.
Ciaran Clark, who scored the equaliser against Bristol, will keep his place in the side alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles.
DeAndre Yedlin is an exciting full-back with plenty of pace so he will keep his place over Jesus Gamez.
Jonjo Shelvey joins Diame in the centre of the midfield as he is a player that should really be plying his trade in the Premier League with Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu supporting the two strikers on the wings.
The wingers were a constant threat to Bristol on Saturday and are another two examples of players who are playing below their ability in the Championship.
Newcastle face a tough run of fixtures that could make or break their title bid.
After the trip to Brighton they face a further two away games against in-form Huddersfield and Reading.
In other Newcastle news, Football Insider rates the performances of the players out of 10 against Bristol City.
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