Paul Merson verdict on Newcastle United nine weeks into the season…

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The Mag

·17 October 2025

Paul Merson verdict on Newcastle United nine weeks into the season…

Paul Merson speaking about Newcastle United.

United with nine weeks of the new season having gone by.

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A very intense period of time with NUFC playing every midweek, due to Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe and team now preparing for their next match. A 3pm kick-off on Saturday, away at Brighton.

Paul Merson discussing how things now stand for Newcastle United as they prepare for this Amex Stadium clash.

Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Brighton v Newcastle:

“Brighton have turned a corner now.

“I would say Newcastle are also starting to find a bit of rhythm.

“I thought Arsenal destroyed Newcastle even though it was just 2-1. But they have bounced back quite well after that loss, scoring six goals and conceding none in the next two games since then.

“Nick Woltemade has done really well at Newcastle. It was an absolutely unbelievable penalty from him against Forest last time out. If you put the ball in the box, he will score goals. It’s as simple as that.

“Woltemade’s a big lad, a real handful and he couldn’t have started any better in my opinion. When you go to a club like Newcastle, you have to start well and he has settled in quicker than snow!

“This will be a decent game to watch because Brighton have managed to get some results in really difficult games recently. I feel these two teams are very similar to each other. So it’s tough to pick a clear winner here.

“Prediction: Brighton 2 Newcastle 2”

I agree with some of what Paul Merson has had to say, less so certain other comments.

Newcastle United and Brighton have had very different starts to the season and as we all know, Eddie Howe having had to deal with all kinds of negative factors in terms of pre-season preparations and indeed then after the season started.

United have actually been very consistent in many ways, especially when it comes to defending. Nick Pope having kept clean sheets in five of the seven Premier League matches and one of the two Champions League games.

Fact is that Newcastle have only lost narrowly to Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal, with luck and fine margins going against them as they deserved to beat the scousers even with ten men, plus a draw deserved against Barca. Arsenal deserved to win for sure as United didn’t play well BUT still because of the defensive strength, Newcastle led into the final minutes 1-0 until those two late goals.

At the other end of the pitch there are clear signs that things are beginning to click, the last four matches in all competitions have seen Newcastle score 11 goals.

Brighton on the other hand have conceded in all of their seven Premier League matches and have had a very up and down season. Paul Merson says that Brighton have turned a corner now and yet in their most recent match needed an 86th minute equaliser to avoid losing to bottom of the table Wolves.

At home in the league they have drawn with Fulham, won against Man City, then most recently they were coasting 2-0 against Spurs only to collapse and in the end were lucky to get a 2-2 draw.

The Seagulls are undoubtedly dangerous opponents but if Newcastle make it six clean sheets from eight PL matches then it should be an away win, as Brighton are struggling at the back.

All eyes on Newcastle’s team selection though as Eddie Howe has Champions League v Benfica three days later to consider.

Confirmed Newcastle United fixtures to 20 December 2025 (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21 October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 29 October – Newcastle v Spurs (8pm) ITV and Sky Sports

Sunday 2 November – West Ham v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 5 November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club Bilbao (8pm)

Sunday 9 November – Brentford v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 22 November – Newcastle v Man City (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Tuesday 25 November: Olympique Marseille vs Newcastle United (8pm)

Saturday 29 November – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports