Newcastle v Albion
FA CUP - FIFTH ROUND
Venue: St. James' Park
Date: Sunday 2nd March 2025
Kick-off: 13:45 GMT
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth Official: Andy Madley
VAR: Graham Scott, James Bell
Additional VAR: Adam Nunn
Hürzeler on Cashin availability, 'do-or-die' games and expectations
Fabian Hürzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Newcastle United.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- He managed to enjoy his birthday "a little bit" on Wednesday, but added: "There is not enough time to relax because I think the next challenge ahead of us will be tough, so we have had to prepare the best we can."
- There are no new injury concerns but there will be no returnees for the FA Cup game. He is looking forward to captain Lewis Dunk being back in contention, even if this game "will be a little bit too early".
- January arrival Eiran Cashin will be available after missing out on the squad to face Bournemouth in the Premier League earlier this week.
- It will be "very important" to "find the balance" between fielding experienced players and giving younger players a chance: "The most important thing is that we get the most fresh and most ready team on the pitch."
- This is a "do-or-die game" for the Seagulls, who are looking to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition: "The longer it goes on, the closer you get to the final. It is a chance to win something. We have to go all in and be ready to compete against Newcastle."
- With Liverpool and Arsenal already out of the FA Cup and another four Premier League sides set to exit in the fifth round, he agreed there is "for sure a chance" that Brighton could challenge for the trophy due to "less top clubs being in the tournament".
- He added: "You never know what's going to come next and this year's competition has already proven that. There have been some crazy results, so I won't say the percentage [of us winning it] is increasing but the chance to win something is always a little bit higher if the top clubs aren't there."
- He acknowledged Newcastle United's recent form at St. James' Park: "They have been impressive. They are a very athletic and dynamic team. They have lots of players who can run a lot of metres at a high speed. It's very special. They can play very intensely because of that, so we have to be ready."
- Therefore Brighton's challenge will be to make the Magpies supporters "as silent as possible" because "they are able to support their team in an unbelievable way".
- He doesn't want to over-promise during his first season at the club: "I always try to give everything for the club and I want the club to be the most successful. We can promise our supporters that we try to do everything on the pitch and off the pitch to make them proud, but we can't promise to win a title."
- Finally, on whether owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber have made their FA Cup expectations clear: "I always know their ambition and what they want to achieve because it's a regular exchange where we always share our thoughts. They haven't called me before this game to say we have to win it. It's more of a regular exchange. Therefore, I already know their expectations."
- Newcastle have won just two of their last 15 meetings with Brighton in all competitions (D7 L6), with all of these coming in the Premier League. They’ve already lost 1-0 against them at St James’ Park this term.
- Brighton have won each of their last four FA Cup games against Newcastle without conceding a single goal, with this the first meeting since a 2-0 home win in the 2012-13 third round.
- Newcastle have progressed from each of their last nine FA Cup fifth round ties, since a 1-0 loss at Blackburn in 1992-93. The Magpies are looking to reach the quarter-final in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 2004-05 and 2005-06.
- Brighton have reached the FA Cup fifth round in three consecutive campaigns for the very first time. They beat Stoke 1-0 in 2022-23 but lost 1-0 against Wolves at this stage last season.
- Newcastle’s William Osula averages a goal or assist every 48 minutes in the FA Cup, scoring seven and assisting three across seven appearances in the competition (480 minutes).
- With four goals and two assists, Brighton’s Georginio Rutter has been involved in six goals in his last three appearances in the FA Cup.
Fabian Hürzeler's Newcastle Press Conference
Last edited:
