BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has said that he expects Newcastle to edge Southampton at St. James’ Park today by a score of 2-1, and he has praised Steve McClaren as a very good coach and that the Tyneside club have made some good signings so far this summer.
Mark Lawrenson – predicts Newcastle win
The former defensive coach under Kevin Keegan at Newcastle had this to say in his BBC column today:
“Steve McClaren is a very good coach and I am expecting Newcastle to have a very good season after their recent problems,” “They have better players, there will be a better atmosphere and they will get better results.”
“Southampton have a lot to live up to after the way they performed in Ronald Koeman’s first year in charge.¨
¨They have lost a couple more key players in Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne but I would not be surprised to see them end up in the top half of the table again,”
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Southampton are a good side although they have lost some good players including former Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who may miss most of the season with a serious knee injury he suffered last season.
We’ll have to see how well Newcastle play together today, with the pre-season performances pointing to the defense as still not being strong enough, although we do expect Fab Coloccini to start this game, and lead the side out as captain.
A 2-1 win would be great – but it will be a difficult game for us.
Comments welcome.
128 comments so far
Noel Worst
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:32 PM
Comment #121Subs:Darlow, TAylor, Tiote, De Jong, Aarons, Perez, Mitrovic
LGFUAD21
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:33 PM
Comment #122Noel.
I’d be down with that line-up.
Maybe saylor for one of the cbs as he’s had more match time.
toon kk
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Comment #123We’re very hard to predict, we’re capable of playing very well on occasions but also a league 2 side can rip us shreds, we can be so unbelievably poor.
So hard to say which Newcastle actually turns up.
Clarke_M
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Comment #124Obertan? Oh Dear. Every manager he has played for has said that he is great in Training. He is apparently a world-beater, and this is why he gets selected. HOWEVER, when it comes to games, he disappears! When will they learn this? Do they not look at old footage?
Yorkfan
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Comment #125Teams are up. Obertan starts. WTF????
bosamuelson
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:36 PM
Comment #126Hope it is not to late.
Final league position 7th
No. Of points 61
League cup WIN.
FA cup 4th round
Arriving 7
Leaving 4
Top goal scorer Mitrovic
Goals 16
Lindisfarne
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:39 PM
Comment #127Royal Blood – Out Of The Black
https://youtu.be/bSdtvfBQd6c
nut meg
Aug 9, 2015 at 12:54 PM
Comment #128Here’s hoping for a good season playing good football.
enjoy guys.