WE’LL BE TOON TOP DOGS
Darlow target in crunch clash
NEWCASTLE are out to prove they are the best team in the Championship at Brighton tonight.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow says they are determined to put down a marker at the home of the leaders.
A win would see the Magpies leapfrog their opponents to go top of the table and open up an eight-point gap on third-placed Huddersfield, who they visit on Saturday.
But while promotion is the No.1 target, Darlow claims the squad are desperate to show they are the best team in the division.
Wanted
“There would certainly be a feeling of disappointment if we finish second in May,” said Darlow.
“We’re a team of winners and want to come first. At the start of the season, we wanted to win this league and that remains the aim.
“So we go to Brighton looking to come away with all three points.”
With successive away trips to the Seagulls, Huddersfield and Reading in the next fortnight, the Toon could put clear daylight between themselves and their rivals – or be sucked back into the pack. While ® avoiding defeat will ensure their fate remains in their own hands, Darlow insists they will approach all three games with a positive mindset.
“The way the fixtures have fallen, we’re up against three top teams, all of whom have their own hopes for the season,” he added.
“We must make sure that, after them, we’re still in the top two.
“So three draws wouldn’t be bad results for us – but we can’t afford to look at it that way.
“You’ve got to have the attitude of trying to win every game and we know if we play our proper football, we can come away very happy.”
Toon boss Rafa Benitez believes 90 points may not be enough to secure automatic promotion, with in-form Huddersfield now chasing down the top two.
“We had a figure of 90 points that would guarantee promotion but now that might not be enough,” he said.
“I was manager of Napoli and we didn’t qualify from our Champions League group with 12 points so you don’t know.
“We just have to keep on winning.”