Mark Lawrenson having his say on Newcastle United – I like what I am hearing


 
 
 
 
 
 

Mark Lawrenson has been talking about Newcastle United.

The former Liverpool defender speaking in the aftermath of the win over Southampton and ahead of the imminent trip to Bournemouth.

Difficult to come to any strong conclusions about Newcastle United’s attacking capabilities after that opening day victory considering how United had to play for 73 minutes with a man down.

However, plenty to like about the commitment, the discipline and defensive ability, as Nick Pope and those in front of him kept a clean sheet.

Also plenty to like about what Mark Lawrenson has now had to say…

Mark Lawrenson speaking to Paddy Power about Newcastle United ahead of Sunday’s match at Bournemouth:

“I’m going to go for Newcastle to win this.

“They were obviously down to 10 men and still managed to win against Southampton which is no mean feat.

“They’ve got loads of players to choose from which is a big positive.

“They’ve got players back and fit in midfield and all over to be honest.

“You look at them and I think this might be the best group of players they’ve had.

“Bournemouth got a 1-1 at Nottingham Forest and I think they’ll struggle to win at home in this game.

“I like Newcastle to win 2-0 and to score it has to be the boy who came from Spain a few years ago, Alexander Isak.”

I haven’t always agreed with what Mark Lawrenson has had to say about Newcastle United, however, on this occasion I think he has ticked so many boxes.

I have been bemused this past week at just how few people, including some Newcastle fans, have been so reluctant to give NUFC the proper credit for that win and clean sheet with 10 men.

Even more bizarre, are those people who choose to deny just how bad last season was, easily the worst in Newcastle’s modern history, in terms of having to deal with so many players missing for so long.

As Mark Lawrenson says, Newcastle United have got a lot of (very good) players now available and with fair luck that will very quickly improve further.

The likes of Pope and Joelinton now back and fully fit, whilst Willock is getting towards that as well. Both Trippier and Gordon should be now getting there as well after returning late due to summer international duty.

Whilst Tonali returns in midweek and Schar after Spurs in eight days time.

With Callum Wilson also set to return after that September international fortnight, Eddie Howe could well have (here’s hoping!) everybody available apart from long-term injured Lascelles, Miley and Botman.

Also of course the likely addition of one or two more signings before the 11pm deadline next Friday.

Hopefully Mark Lawrenson will be proved correct with his Newcastle win prediction on Sunday, which would really set NUFC up for Spurs at home and beyond…