Hay, Isaac is just having fan-tastic time with United
DEFENDER IS LOVING THE ATMOSPHERE AT ST JAMES’ - AND CAN’T WAIT TO FACE BRIGHTON
ISAAC Hayden feels Newcastle United fans can give the Magpies an extra edge in their tough home clash with promotion contenders Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Seagulls only missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference last term after staying in contention to go up all season under Chris Hughton.
Victory against Brighton could see Newcastle climb into the top six during the campaign’s first international break.
Hayden admits he is buzzing about playing in front of such loud supporters this term after spending last season at Hull City.
When asked about playing in front of another 50,000-plus crowd, Hayden told the Chronicle: “Crowds don’t bother me in terms of size – at Arsenal it was 60,000 so I am kind of used to it.
“At Newcastle the atmosphere is fantastic and you can hear the fans throughout the 90 minutes - it is a lot different to last year.
“Last year was not anywhere like it was here.
“So to come here is very exciting and every time I step on to that pitch at St James’ Park it is a special moment.
“For me, I just want to get the three points and put in some performances.
“The fans are a massive help to us as well, especially during a game when things are not going so well.
“We might need their help and they have done it so far this season.
“At Bristol, they came in their thousands so hopefully we can keep giving them performances and results.”
Former Arsenal man Hayden, though, refuses to underestimate Hughton’s side.
Brighton are unbeaten and sitting in second place in the table after last term’s near-miss.
Hayden said: “It is another game but Brighton are a good side and have a good manager.
“They have a good squad and they have built on things from last year.
“The lads see it as another game and we respect Brighton, as we would any other team.
“I think we have to focus more on ourselves than Brighton and if we do what the manager is asking us to do we will improve on that aspect of it.
“The lads are getting used to each other now and the connections are all over the pitch, especially at Bristol.
“It was a team effort and everybody dug in deep.
“If we can keep doing that and concentrate on the technical aspect of our game we should not have a problem against Brighton.”
United have won three games in a row since opening up with two defeats against Fulham and Huddersfield Town.
It resulted in a losing start to Hayden’s career on home turf but he knows all about the unforgiving nature of the division.
He added: “It was only the second game of the season so it is still early.
“It was not the result we wanted but football is all about reactions.
“We are not going to be giving 10/10 performances every game.
“There will be games where we don’t play so well and I thought against Huddersfield the first half was not good enough but the second half was a bit better.”