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Lascelles is key to addressing Merson’s worry

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Image for Lascelles is key to addressing Merson’s worry

OPINION

Paul Merson is right to be worried about how Newcastle United responded to going a goal behind to Arsenal last week as it showed a lack of character and fight.

The Sky Sports pundit when predicting the Magpies against Crystal Palace shared that from the perspective of Rafa Benitez’s side he had a worry about the way they utterly fell apart once the Gunners took the lead.

“Palace were very fortunate last week at Huddersfield. Newcastle were a touch unlucky against Arsenal, they were the better team in the first half but as soon as they went behind, wow, they completely and utterly went,” wrote Merson in his predictions for Sky Sports.

“From a Newcastle perspective that worries me, I see Palace just edging this one.”

Merson is spot-on with his worry for the Magpies as it was really concerning how the Magpies went from being a well oiled machine in the first half against Arsenal to a ship that was taking on water due to having leaks all over the place in the second half.

However there was a noticeable difference in personnel between the two halves which makes it clear that the only person who can address Merson’s worry and ensure the Magpies don’t crumble again is defender Jamaal Lascelles.

The Magpies captain, who earns £40,000-a-week at St James Park (Source: Spotrac) limped off at the half-time break before taking up a place on the bench due to not be able to continue.

Lascelles’ is clearly rightly valued among his teammates as not only were leadership skills missed as there was no on the pitch apparently able to lift everyone spirits once going goal behind but his fellow Magpies no doubt felt less confident without him at the back attempting to shield the goal.

The Magpies could be struggling again and unable to address Merson’s concern for the game against Palace as the defender is apparently a doubt due to his injury.

The Daily Star reported on Thursday that Lascelles was in a race to be fit for Saturday’s clash and if he isn’t available then Merson’s worry about how the Magpies react to going behind won’t be addressed in their next outing.

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