Considering he’s still paid by the BBC to deliver weekly predictions and a former Match of the Day pundit, I can’t quite believe what I’ve just read from Mark Lawrenson.
Despite us being 12 points clear of the drop zone with just 7 Premier League games left to play, he believes Steve Bruce will ‘prioritise’ next week’s trip to Bournemouth over tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter final against Manchester City…
Why? Because he believes there’s still an “element of doubt” surrounding Newcastle United’s survival hopes.
Now I’ll say it again, we are TWELVE points clear of the drop zone after a win and a draw since football returned. In fact, we’re actually two points closer to the Champions League spots than we are to going down, as things stand!
This combined with the fact we haven’t won a major trophy since 1955 or made a cup semi-final for 15 years makes Lawro’s argument absolutely absurd.
Nevertheless, here’s what he’s had to say during his latest prediction piece for the BBC – where he backs the blues to beat us 0-3:
If Newcastle had held on to beat Aston Villa in the league on Wednesday, they would be totally safe on 41 points and could have focused fully on this tie.
They have already drawn with Manchester City once at St James’ Park this season and you would be thinking they can have a real go at them.
As it is, there is still that element of doubt about them staying up and, although I still think the Magpies will survive, boss Steve Bruce will probably see Wednesday’s league trip to struggling Bournemouth as the priority.
City are the FA Cup holders and I am sure they will take this tie seriously but they made eight changes on Monday night and outclassed Burnley. Whatever team they put out, it will be too strong for Newcastle.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-3
Maybe there’s a TINY slither of ‘doubt’ about our Premier League status until we pass that 40 point mark, but there’s absolutely no reason why Bruce would see next week’s trip to Bournemouth as the ‘priority’ here.
After all, he’s vowed to take the cups seriously all season and has delivered on that promise, so why on earth would he take it easy now he has a chance to make a semi-final?
Not only that, you could argue a shock win over City and FA Cup glory could be his big chance to save his job should a takeover happen?
Barmy comments from Lawrenson, especially when he admits “you would be thinking they can have a real go at them” after our 2-2 draw at St James’ Park earlier this season – yet backs us to focus on the Bournemouth game instead!
i think he will give his best possible team for against city. he is three games away from being a legend if he were to win the FA cup. i think the best team in the league right now are man utd though and that they will be the ones to win it. Ole has them nearly playing the way Fergie did and i respect that. I would love to see us win it though for sure.
Craig Chisholm(Quote)
Fair to say better teams than this one have fluffed a 12 gap … but despite a turgid display against Villa and the biggest cheat in the league we’re actually in form and a quick look at the bookies odds for relegation odds has us at 500/1 same as ManUre and Arsenal. Lauro talking out of his backside again.
JulioLaker(Quote)
Actually 3 points closer to relegation than champions league… (2 points closer to a European cup spot)
Small error but important considering the context implied…
Paul(Quote)
Lawro was never the sharpest tool in the kit, intellectually!
The Toons will give it everything they have and why not? They are only around 3 hours playing time away from an FA Cup Final, maybe less than 5 hours from lifting the cup. Why on earth would they hold back from giving it there all?
City are in a similar situation – by their standards it’s been a disappointing season but they already have the League Cup, and a domestic cup double to take home wouldn’t be too dusty.
Also (and whisper it) there is still the Champions League to go. OK – they have to double up on Real Madrid, get past Bayern Munich who have been blatantly tapping up one of their best young players for the last two years, not to mention a small matter of Barca, but they will be thinking that a three cup treble will do nicely and up yours Scousers 😛
I’m looking forward to a cracking game with fingers crossed for the right result 😀
Alphie Izzett(Quote)
the idiot hates us always has!!!
wiz(Quote)
Well he weren’t far off was he?! ?
Noob(Quote)