Whilst so many of Rafa Benitez’s squad have thrived as of late, there is one player at St James Park who has fallen below expectation on a consistent basis, and Jamaal Lascelles was once again poor last night. The Geordies’ captain had his blushes spared as Divock Origi’s goal didn’t go down as his own-goal, but the 25-year-old was still awful.
Off day for the skipper Lascelles tonight.
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) 4 May 2019
It doesn’t help that whilst Lascelles has been nothing short of woeful this season the central defenders who have managed to stay fit around him have been incredible. All three of Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Florian Lejeune, when fit and playing, have outdone Lascelles. Last night was another bad day at the office for Lascelles too, and he’ll just want the season to end now.
Having Virgil Van Dijk at the other end of the pitch for Liverpool only amplified the poor display from Lascelles, but the Dutchman isn’t the only one to do that this season. If things keep going the way they are then it won’t be long until Lascelles finds himself struggling for game time and maybe even making his way out of St James Park, although not many fans would complain given his form this season.
You can read the Magpies’ verdict on Lascelles here:
To many off days for him.
— Adam Raupp (@AdamRauppPaint) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/yuribab/status/1124778038661713920
https://twitter.com/JakeAStewart/status/1124776588481040384
Off day? Does he ever have an on day?
— Mícheál Ó Fearnáin (@freno9) May 4, 2019
He’s had about 25 off days then
— Eric (@Eric_Bryson_89) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/G00DLAUGH/status/1124786022355697664
Horrific performance not good enough
— Adam Kennair (@discopants1982) May 4, 2019
Off season for him. Outplayed too many time,
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/andyhudson77/status/1124778354253676544
UNDERSTATEMENT! Championship performance
— Lee Evans (@LeeEvans85) 4 May 2019
He was terrible, at fault for two of the goals imo.
— Ian (@geordieexile) May 4, 2019
Was absolutely terrible defending set pieces today, however he’s been superb all season so can’t complain really
— Shane Rout (@shaneyr34) 4 May 2019
The Magpies are quickly getting fed up of Lascelles and will hope Benitez can either give him a kick and get him back to his best or ship him out if he can’t find last season’s form.
