Lawrenson (after going for the form teams in all his other predictions):

Sunderland v Newcastle

The rivalry between these two clubs is intense - and the fact that Newcastle are enjoying such a great season must be distressing to the Sunderland supporters.

I expect the desire to stop Bobby Robson's team in their tracks will permeate from fans to players and I expect the Black Cats to go for the jugular.

Sunderland have not been in great form but I'm tipping them for a narrow win.

Verdict: Sunderland win

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Answers

Surprised he hasn't brought our pathetic away form into it.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Yea, and the Guv'nor on teletext has predicted us to win 3-0!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Redknapp thinks we'll draw.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Does anyone, anywhere really care what that tosspot Lawrenson thinks?

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Lawrenson has always been negative in his opinions of Newcastle. We paid his wages for a while under Keegan but he has obviously never felt any loyalty to us judging by his comments. Even after some of our best performances recently he has been grudging in his compliments to the lads. Can't stand the bloke personnally. Lovely hair style mind!!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Isn't anybody concerned that effectively, the makems are an unknown quantity for this game ?

Even just the fact that, basically, we will have to watch two finishers instead of just one puts this well into the realm of the unpredictable. If M'bomo starts as he has in the past , we could have our work cut out. I think he has to be put in his place right from the off, because if he's kept quiet, it'll effect the rest of the makems, crowd included, since they'll be expecting big things from him.

I can see this being a high scoring game, and I'll be disappointed if Bobby doesn't just tell them to go all out for 90 mins. If we go ahead, then try to hang on to the lead, we'll get nowt IMO.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Keep it tight for the first 15-20 minutes then take the game and start out passing them.

Mboma is a pretty good player and he's strong, which is why we need Distin to pretty much stick on him. Dabizas or O'Brien should be able to cope with Phillips.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

The funny thing is that in his predictions for who'll win the premiership he reckoned we'll draw this, so he's changed his mind already (without a pl game being played between predictions). I'd like to do an analysis of his week by week Toon predictions 'cos we're the team he always tips to slip up - I can't work out whether it's 'cos he hates us or fears us or just hasn't realised that this isn't last season.

I expect he had Liverpool down to win today too!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Perhaps Lawrenson is a Toon fan - ie. no different to those on here who always reckon we'll lose. ;o{]

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

If he was a toon fan then surely he would have included us in his pre season prediction article, which we were mysteriously missing from.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

The funny thing is that in his predictions for who'll win the premiership he reckoned we'll draw this

That's quite right. Lawro had two forecasts for this game and they were BOTH wrong! :-)

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Wrong again Lawro. Still if you keep tipping us to lose sooner or later you'll get one right - or maybe not! :o))

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Who in their right minds would employ a "pundit" like Lawrenson? Two different predictions on todays derby - both wrong!!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Despite us having paid this idiot at some time I think he is typical of those who see Newcastle as an "outer fringe" team. They are, rightly, afraid that we will upset their comfortable little applecart.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Talking of pundits, wasn't Andy Thompson on the Worthington Cup final coverage totally out of his depth today?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

If we do win it, does anyone else get the feeling that it'll be seen as Manure losing it, not us winning?

There's a new trophy this season as well isn't there? It'd be nice to be the first name on the cup.

I still have a feeling Arsenal will do it. I don't want them to, I just have a feeling, as Vieira can still go up another gear.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

If we do win it, I think we will be looked upon as this seasons Blackburn, when then won the title. Does that make sense? Probably not. 1-0.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002