He told BBC Sport Online: “I’ve been told Newcastle were in for a striker this summer, that they made some serious offers that just never came to fruition.
"I’m sure that will be addressed in January, but until then they are a bit short up front and I can understand fans’ frustrations that they got £35m in for Andy Carroll in January and haven’t yet reinvested it.
“The Magpies are a bit similar to Everton, Aston Villa et al, though, in that to finish in the top six they’d need to spend £100m or more.
"I know Mike Ashley has taken a lot of stick – and I’ve given him loads of it – but he’s not going to spend that and I make him right.
"So if you’re not going to do that, you need to make sure you’re in decent enough shape to be comfortable, which Newcastle are.
“They’ve also enjoyed a good start to the season so I see Newcastle being just fine this season. Even though I think they’ll lose at Loftus Road on Monday.
“Prediction: 2-1″