Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson was raving about the Newcastle performance against Huddersfield last Saturday.
That was after our lads were much the better side against the Terriers even though it was a late goal after 80 minutes from Ayoze Perez that gave us the precious 3 points.
In fact, Merson even predicted we would win that game 2-0, and we didn’t know whether that was good or bad since Paul usually takes us to lose or draw.
Paul has come to his senses again and predicts that we will lose 2-0 at Leicester, who we admit are a very decent side.
Paul Merson – predicts Newcastle will lose – what?
Here’s what Paul said about our next game this Saturday afternoon:
“Newcastle’s win over Huddersfield was a massive result but I’ve got to go with Leicester, they’re a dangerous team.”
“I would say Newcastle are a win away from safety. I think 38 points is enough – you look at Southampton and Stoke, how are they going to get to 38?”
“Newcastle only need one win, but that’s hard to get.”
Prediction: 2-0
We assume Paul means that win is hard to get at Leicester City.
We could just surprise Paul for the second game in a row.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
28 comments so far
Tosun A. Wobbler
Apr 5, 2018 at 4:14 PM
Comment #1I’d like to make a really constructive contribution here so, Merson looks like his face has been molded out of a Maris Piper.
I tried.
JP...from The Rock
Apr 5, 2018 at 4:21 PM
Comment #2We cannot be complacent as the season is still not over and can have a few twists. That being said I still think we can get something from this game, at least a point. We are giving Leicester way too much respect. They aren’t that much better than us on current form. We just need to be strong in the final third and we can win this. I say 1-0 win for us with Ritchie the scorer.
lesh
Apr 5, 2018 at 4:34 PM
Comment #3Munster, Jail, Jib
Ayatollah you once, I ayatollah you twice, I ayatollah you a thousand times, shaddapa witha silly arguments!
And… .
The debate about Lascelles staying or going hinges, I believe, on one thing and that is the direction the clubs headed. The lad seems to have a lot of time for Rafa and Rafa’s the key to him staying or going.
If Ashley continues to pi$$ Rafa about, it’s clear that Ashley has no ambition it desire to improve the footballing side of things and if Rafa decides he’s had enough, then that’ll be enough for Lascelles and our other good players to want away.
So, to echo other posters, the sooner Ashley either commits to backing Rafa to Rafa’s satisfaction or sells up to an owner that wants to maximise the clubs footballing potential, the better.
lochinvar
Apr 5, 2018 at 4:40 PM
Comment #4Leicester may find it difficult to navigate around our defensive set up and may wait patiently as we often do until the second half opens up. Then they are more likely to ping Shelvey stye long balls towards Vardy so if Lascalles and Lejeune can keep their shape and deal with that then we have every opportunity to earn a draw. We can even take the win if Leicester open up at the back as they get anxious in pressing forward.
Might be good to see Murphy dragging their defence later on with some speedy runs.
Interesting that Puel is trying to say that we are safe and talk up an “open game” which makes me think he knows they might find it hard to break our defensive wall.
We’re capable of winning this 0-1 to us or even 1-2 in our favour, Gayle and Diame.
Rupert Pink
Apr 5, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Comment #5Eeeeee the bliddy fighting on hea !
Hev yiz mizzd iz ?
Tout de suite.
Benton Toon Exile
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:11 PM
Comment #6Really looking forward to this game as it is a real test of how far we have come recently, but I don’t expect too much and would be delighted with a draw…
Leicester are a good benchmark, and model for us if we can get a few quid to spend from a new owner…
Tsunki
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:17 PM
Comment #7Ruprecht I think the answer is nah.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:19 PM
Comment #8Tsunki,
First pokat and noew Nicky the ball tosser, I’m getting slow in my old age.
Tsunki
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:20 PM
Comment #9I may be looking through .. hic… Beer bottle bottom glasses…burrrrp.. but I fink Leshter….. Baarrrrrff……are too strong for bellllch…pop…..hic…..Newcarsel …. Gaaahh….burrrrp..
The next Mike Williamson
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:21 PM
Comment #10I think we’ll win if Ndidi is suspended. Leicester were shocking until he came in last January and filled Kante’s boots.
Tsunki
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:22 PM
Comment #11Jail I had to do a double read for a moment I thought he’d let his guard down à la carl. Understandable.
Tsunki
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:23 PM
Comment #12Yes, Ndidi I think so too 😀
Thump
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #13@Leah: so you reckon he’s off then?
ronaldo aarons
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #14next mike
Yeah good point. He is a good midfielder and got suspended last weekend. Im sure it may have been a second yellow, if not I dont think its been rescinded anyway. Big miss for them.
Last match we never had lascelles, dummet, diame or shelvey. Throw in Kenedy and a new keeper, we are looking good. Hopefully Diame does make it.
Thump
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #15Rather than correct myself, I’m going to start calling lesh “Leah”. Linear style.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 5, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #16Didnt realise Mario Balotelli is on a free. That Johnathan Bamba is also free this summer, hes regularly been linked to us in the past.
Munster Mag
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #17Posada I agree. Guys on here were lauding guys like PEA and the work carr was doing. In reality fifa players knew these guys they were more interested in joining Dortmund, madrid at than us. Ashley fault might have been with delle Ali but not with Lacazette who was have had bigger ideas than listing to mccardew
The next Mike Williamson
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:11 PM
Comment #18Southgate seems to be the only manager that rates Alfie Mawson above Lascelles. If he really was better surely all the top managers would be after him and not our boy. Hopefully the big teams will buy Tarkowski & Mawson instead of JL if they need to fulfill their homegrown quota.It seems every good English player has one break-out season and then goes to Man City to be the token Brit.
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Comment #19I agree with everything said on here today so far. Harrumph!!!
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:15 PM
Comment #20Although Tsunki still hasn’t thanked me for providing him with new chest hair implants…. Unbelievable.
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:31 PM
Comment #21Amazing to watch Liverpool take Man City apart in the first half yesterday. Made them look average at best.
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:33 PM
Comment #22Salah attacks the box relentlously. In comparison the Man City forwards looked absolutely timid.
Bobbybee
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:34 PM
Comment #23Geordie Two! Are you the archaeologist from Oak Island? 🙂
Leicester are on a good run of form and we face a really tough game. I would snap your hand off now for a point. A win’s not impossible, but we need goals and we can’t ignore the fact that whatever your opinion is of Gayle, he misses the chances we do create far too often.
Won’t happen, but maybe playing Dummett at centre back for this game might be an option worth considering, as he’s our fastest defender, the only one likely to get anywhere near Vardy in a foot race. We certainly can’t afford to leave too much space behind the defence.
Bobbybee
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:36 PM
Comment #24For defender, read centre back.
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:42 PM
Comment #25Twelve teams in the Prem with negative goal differences and we’re the best of that bunch. That’s a testament to Rafa.
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:44 PM
Comment #26No,, it’s not me on Oak Island Bobby. Although I do wear a pirate hat now and then….
GeordieTwo
Apr 5, 2018 at 6:46 PM
Comment #27Aaaarghhh mateys!!
Toonces
Apr 5, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Comment #28Bobby @ 23
I think I’d leave Dummett at left back. It’s where he is at his best by far and I think he will shut down that side. At center back, his pace in general is a bit less important but at full back it is essential. He also needs a few strides to get up to speed. I also think we play best right now with a back 4. If we try a back “3”, Kenedy will be out of sorts as a left wingback. Our current good run of form also coincides with the back 4 playing well and Diame and Shelvey running the midfield.
Yedlin is going to need help. Chillwell has been very good of late and I think Mahrez will target him. Ritchie will have a lot on his hands to help out.
We are a more cohesive team and stronger than the last time we faced Leicester. Hopefully they might feel some pressure to attack as the home team and their position above us in the table. I think we will get something from this match. If we are solid, look for the counter – basically use Leicester’s plan against them – we have a good shot at the 3 points. HWTL!