Newcastle fans call on Benitez to start Championship expert v Brighton

Tue 28 February 2017 9:07, UK

By Will Butcher

Newcastle fans are desperate on Twitter to see Rafa Benitez hand Daryl Murphy just his seventh league start for the Toon against Brighton.

Murphy, 33, is in line to start against automatic promotion rivals Brighton, with main striker Dwight Gayle injured, but faces direct competition from Serbia international Aleksander Mitrovic.

Known for his prolific goalscoring in England’s second tier, the former Ipswich Town target man could be given a chance to lead the line against Chris Hughton’s Seagulls.

The 23-time Ireland international has scored a huge 79 goals in the Championship throughout his career as well as providing 42 assists during 264 second-tier outings.

Newcastle fans are keen to see Murphy score his 80th Championship goal, as they look to secure all three points in a crucial game concerning promotion to the Premier League.

Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:

Turns out Murphy has a good goals tally at Brightons ground, got to get a start tonight #nufc
— Jonathan Jones (@cornedbeefpie) February 28, 2017

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Although I'D prefer;
Darlow
Lascelles, Hanley, Clark
Yedlin, Colback, Diame, Ritchie
Shelvey
Murphy, Atsu#nufc
— el Danilo. ⚫️⚪️ (@DoctorCookeh) February 28, 2017

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might be a crazy idea but id play murphy upfront with mitro and diame in behind him, need a finisher on the pitch tomorrow night #NUFC
— toonidd (@toonidd) February 27, 2017

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Murphy deserves a chance to start. Mitrovic missed some sitters again the other day, Daryl would have buried them #NUFC https://t.co/cTfmh7q6wK
— Dan McMahon ⚡ (@DanMcmahonF1) February 27, 2017

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Murphy Must Play Tomorrow Night, Diame For Colback To #NUFC
— Sam Chipperfield (@SamChipperfield) February 27, 2017

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Love Mitrovic but he's running out of chances, if Gayle's not ???? fit I think Murphy should get the nod Tuesday… #nufc
— him (@just__me_______) February 26, 2017

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Rafa can see what we can see. Mitro totally lacks anticipation and isn’t the answer. Time to roll the dice with Murphy #nufc
— Steve C (@racingsteve) February 25, 2017

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https://twitter.com/NufcKemsley/status/836203706886467584

Considered third-choice striker at St. James’ Park, Murphy’s chances have been limited after moving to Tyneside for around £3million from Championship outfit Ipswich Town last summer.

However, during his 13 appearances for the Toon, Murphy has scored three times against Brentford, Rotherham and Birmingham as well as laying on two assists.

In other Newcastle news, the Magpies should look to sign this Tottenham star in the summer.

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