Eddie Howe has to start ‘fantastic’ Newcastle player to carry out his tactical masterplan vs Brighton

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Eddie Howe has some selection dilemmas ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Brighton.

The Newcastle United manager will be forced into at least one change, with Kieran Trippier set to miss out due to injury. In his place, Tino Livramento will start at right-back.

Eddie Howe must decide whether he tweaks his midfield. While Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are Newcastle’s two star midfielders, they have been away on international duty. In contrast, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff have been preparing for the Brighton game under the watchful eye of Howe.

Then you come to the attack, where Newcastle should have Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson available after injury. If one of them – most likely Isak – comes into the starting XI, one of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy will have to drop to the bench.

It certainly will not be Gordon, that is for sure.

Eddie Howe should start Jacob Murphy against Brighton

Based on his form this season, it would be harsh to drop Harvey Barnes. He is actually Newcastle’s top scorer so far, boasting three goals.

However, given the fact that Newcastle are taking on a Brighton side that are so difficult to play against, Eddie Howe might be more inclined to start the ‘fantastic’ Jacob Murphy ahead of the £39million man.

That might not be a popular decision, but it could be decisive as Howe goes in search of victory over Fabian Hurzeler.

Why Newcastle need someone like Murphy against Brighton

In Harvey Barnes, Newcastle have a finisher. He is ruthless in front of goal, and has won his team so many points since his arrival from Leicester City. He did that this season, with Barnes’ screamer giving Newcastle a 2-1 win over Wolves.

But the 26-year-old can sometimes go missing in games, while the Brighton fixture is one that could result in Newcastle not seeing much of the ball.

In that respect, it is vital that the Newcastle players are totally switched on when they are out of possession. They will have to be extremely disciplined, and that is perhaps why Murphy has to start on Saturday.

In the past, Howe has praised Murphy for his ability to take on tactical information. Last year, Howe said that Murphy’s ‘tactical delivery and understanding’ was of the ‘highest level’. Against a team like Brighton, those attributes will be vital.

That is why Murphy should get the nod to start on the right of attack, even if he is not as much of a match-winner as Barnes. Howe will need players he can fully trust to carry out what will no doubt be a complex gameplan, and Murphy is absolutely a player who is trusted.