Mark Lawrenson predicted Newcastle United’s game against Tottenham on Wednesday to end 3-0 in Spurs’ favour.
The BBC pundit revealed that he thought Rafa Benitez didn’t have enough players to seriously change his team, from the last game against Watford, in order for the Magpies to achieve victory at Wembley.
“West Brom were really cute with their approach in their win over Tottenham on Saturday,” Lawrenson, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“The Baggies played as if they were the away team and gave Spurs no space whatsoever, either to run in behind or in midfield.
“As much as Newcastle will want to do the same, I don’t think they will have the mind-set to pull it off.
“They were pretty insipid in the first half of their defeat by Watford at the weekend and Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez does not have enough players to seriously change his team, and their attitude.
“The Magpies’ target was safety this season, they have achieved what they needed to do and they are almost in holiday mode now.”
Benitez’s side go into the game against Spurs at Wembley on Wednesday, having lost their last three league games.
OPINION
Lawrenson is no doubt correct to predict a Tottenham win on Wednesday, as the majority of the Magpies’ players have been mentally on the beaches in their last three games. However they did show signs of life in the second half against Watford on Saturday, even if it came after the team’s woeful first half performance. Jonjo Shelvey in particular stood out for his excellent second half display and if he’s firing on all cylinders on Wednesday, then maybe he can force Lawrenson to be wrong with his prediction. However the 26-year-old midfielder can’t do it alone and the BBC pundit is right to suggest that Benitez’s has a selection headache when it comes to finding different players to feature. The Magpies are lucky about playing Spurs when they are as Mauricio Pochettino’s side have equally been as disappointing in their recent outings. Therefore it’s not guaranteed that even if the Magpies submit a woeful performance, that Spurs would be able to take advantage of it.
