Lee Clark believes that Newcastle United's rejuvenated star Joelinton can benefit massively from the confidence gained in his last game at Brentford. The South American was on hand to head home his first goal since Eddie Howe's first game back in November when he made it a double against Brentford this season during the 2-0 win.
Joelinton now heads into the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion close to the top of his game but former Magpies star Clark feels that goals are not the only thing the 25-year-old should be judged on. Indeed, with Joelinton emerging as a midfield enforcer Clark thinks the pressure is off the £40million man in that sense.
Clark told Chronicle Live: "I hope this goal can be the catalyst for him to go on a run now. But to be honest, I don't think goals are the priority for him any more.
"The performances from midfield have been there for all to see. You'd love another Frank Lampard who could give you 20 goals from midfield but what Joelinton is showing from the middle of the pitch is athleticism and a dynamic presence.
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"He's very physical and looking good on the ball. But hopefully the goal at Brentford can give him the boost in confidence.
"What happens when you go on a run you are no longer thinking about opportunities, you just strike the ball or almost pass it into the net - you have little runs like that."
Joelinton has been some people's early shout for player of the season at Newcastle. But Clark says he is at least the best player on the pitch since Howe has arrived.
The Geordie said: "What he's given to the team since Eddie arrived is fantastic. I think he's been outstanding and if you analysed individual performances since Eddie arrived he is probably the standout player.
"If you looked at the best player since Eddie came in it would probably be Joelinton. Yes the new signings have made an impact but if you looked at each player Joelinton would be top of the list."
Newcastle now run into a Brighton side that will arrive on Tyneside on the back of three successive defeats. But given their excellent form under Graham Potter they are still sitting in 10th place in the table and Clark feels the black and whites should be wary of them.
Clark added: "Graham likes to get forward and get on the front foot. And he likes his wide players to come into midfield.
"I think he likes to try to congest the middle of the pitch and create areas and problems in the wide spaces by bringing and connecting his full-backs with the forwards. So I think he is trying to play the right way.
"This should be an interesting game between the two managers because they are both very good on the tactical side of the game. "There's always a possibility with Brighton on what they can do in terms of being flexible as well.
"We've seen this before and it'll be a battle of the tactics. And it'll be which players can be on the top of their game, Newcastle are the form team.
"You can be optimistic but always just have that caution, especially in the Premier League."
