Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello,
I'm not sure if I need the word "a" in the following sentence.
Mike has "a" new-found self-confidence.

I'd say the 'a' is needed (or at least "makes it sound better") - I mean, we are talking here about a certain type of self-confidence (i.e. 'new-found'), after all (not that there are that many conceivable types, but still!). Compare that to 'Mike has developed [some] self-confidence' (where apparently absolutely none at all existed in Mike before).

Hello,
Thanks again for taking the time to give me a hand.
Best wishes,