Mark Lawrenson predicts Newcastle v Watford and can’t see Sunderland winning

Cisse has scored only once since February – against Southampton on the opening day of the season – and his drought has coincided with the Toon’s shocking record of just three Premier League wins in the whole of 2015.

Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini is frustrated by his side’s early season form.

Florian Thauvin and Moussa Sissoko are likely to get the nod in the wide positions, but McClaren must decide whether to stick with Georginio Wijnaldum in the “number ten” role or hand Siem de Jong his first league start of the season.

And winger Rolando Aarons, yet to start a league game for Newcastle, is another option for McClaren, who felt some of the players let the club down at Upton Park.

“We haven’t scored goals or looked like scoring goals”.

“We must try to avoid the same mistakes going forward”.

The BBC pundit praises Steve McClaren (who appears to have a lot of supportive people in the media) and says he has a big shout to make on certain players, with Papiss Cisse top of that list.

“We created a few [chances on Monday], but compared to previous games we know we need to create more”.

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, left, and West Ham’s Diafra Sakho…

“The first eight fixtures were a bit of a nightmare for us”, McClaren said referring also to upcoming clashes with champions Chelsea and leaders Manchester City.

“We have to offer a much bigger goalscoring threat”.

“I try to join in, but I am a defender and that has to be my main job”.

Monday night’s game did bear numerous hallmarks of last season’s relegation struggles, as poor defending was combined with an nearly total lack of ideas and goal threat at the other end of the pitch.

“It’s a big game (against Watford) now”.

Despite Watford impressing and Newcastle still without a win so far, Mark Lawrenson has predicted a 2-0 victory for United.