The main question we should ask here is; should Pardew play our youngsters to give them first team experience? Vuckic, Ferguson, Abeid and Sammy Ameobi all deserve to be given first team chances, but we all crave our FA cup run and an end to our lack of silverware.
The FA cup has always held a special place in our hearts since we reached the final in ’98 and ‘99, and lost to the champions, on both occasions. We all desperately crave another Wembley trip and we all know, that this could be our year.
So far, Brighton have had to overcome Wrexham, in the previous round, who were a potential banana skin. Wrexham worked hard at the Amex Stadium and took it to a replay at the Racecourse Ground, which Brighton nicked on penalties.
Newcastle played Blackburn at home and had to come from 1 goal down and won with a spectacular goal from Hatem Ben Arfa and an impudent chip from Jonas Gutierrez.
This year, Brighton also overcame Sunderland in the Carling Cup. Brighton will be looking to perform another scalp of another North East Premier League team. Whereas Newcastle will be needing to dig their heels in against the Championship side, who have only lost on 3 occasions at home this year.
Newcastle should have the quality to overcome a Brighton side who, after a strong start to the season, struggled for form, until stringing 3 consecutive wins together. They now sit 2 points behind the playoffs in 10th place. Newcastle have had a great season so far and have surpassed all expectations by sitting in 6th position in the Premier League. They scalped Manchester United at home and got themselves a hard earned 1-0 win at home to QPR. After 2 great results, they were destroyed 5-2 at Fulham. After dominating the first half, they lacked discipline and were humiliated.
Latest Team News
Newcastle have no new injury worries. Steven Taylor and Peter Løvenkrands are still out and Tiote, Demba Ba and new signing, Papiss Cissé are all missing due to the African Cup of Nations.
Brighton will be hoping Kazenga Lua Lua will be fit to face his old club. Lua Lua has shown bundles of promise and seems to be one of Brighton’s most dangerous players.
Key players
Hatem Ben Arfa will be looking to seize his chance while Demba Ba is away at the African Nations cup. Ben Arfa has shown bags of potential but only seems to come alive from the subs bench
Craig Mackail Smith has only scored 6 goals in the Championship this year, but shows a real strikers instinct when infront of goal.
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