Newcastle are on another trip to the US right now, where the distances in America are huge and the weather is hot and humid in the summer, but this time around they seem to have arranged things a little better than in 2011, when the squad went down to Miami in July – where it’s around 95 degrees F and 100% humidity most days.
Steve McClaren – hopes it isn’t too grueling
Milwaukee will be in the high 80s at this time of year, as will Sacramento in California, but Portland is only in the high 70s, so a bit cooler there and there will also be less humidity on the west coast.
In Raleigh last month we had 16 days where it was over 90 degrees F every day with very high humidity, and most of those were over 95 – so it can be really hot in the states.
From Milwaukee to Sacramento in California is just over 2,000 miles and another 700 miles north from there to Portland in Oregon.
It’s about 3800 miles from Newcastle to Milwaukee and from Portland back to Newcastle is around 4700 miles.
So that’s around 11,200 miles but it will be longer by plane – because those distances are as the crow flies and they’ll be exhausted – the crows as well as the Newcastle squad.
🙂
Steve McClaren has talked about the trip and was asked whether it’s going to be a grueling schedule:
“Hopefully not. It’s going to be a tough 10 days – games, travel, logistics, preparation, organisation.¨
“I’ve done these trips before and can you say they’re ideal? No. But this is what we’ve inherited and we have to make the most of it – and we will.¨
“We’ll do the work we need to do and get the recovery that we need and coming back, then that is the period where ‘do you recover?’ and ‘how long does it takes each individual to recover?’¨
“We have to make sure in that period that we don’t get injuries and niggles.”
“There’s three games,” “Training is great, all the little drills are great, but nothing beats the game
¨So three games and a lot of work on the training ground now on organisation and jobs and things that you should be doing so they become more automatic rather than just off the cuff.¨
“We’ve worked very hard and we will continue with the fitness. The fitness will come with the games now, and the recovery will be important because of all the travel.”
America seems to be a popular place for Premier League teams to visit these days and of course there’s no language problems.
Soccer is threatening to take off a bit in the US, but it’s still way down the list of popular sports in America with American Football, baseball (at both the pro and college levels) the most popular by far, and other sports like golf, NASCAR and ice hockey still more popular.
If you look at the sports page of the web version of USA Today, soccer still doesn’t make it along the top as one of the nine sports featured.
But the lads will be able to have some warm weather training in addition to the three games – so hopefully it will be all worth while.
We may even be able to sign a couple more players before the lads return to England a week on Wednesday.
Comments welcome.
39 comments so far
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:15 AM
Comment #1Kevy
No idea what price tag will be slapped on Benteke. He is a nailed on goal scorer, so its going to be something idiotoc, but some one will pay it. Love to see him here but cant see that happening.
cyprus
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:18 AM
Comment #2Seems he’s not to thrilled with this trip. I agree. It’s a long haul and it interrupts work in some ways. A 4-5 day trip to say, Cyprus, with a couple friendlies would’ve been less disruptive and local teams are pretty good.
On transfers, ‘we’ – that’s you and your son Ed :)- don’t need Austin if we sign Mitro and his dad. People like Perez will develop further this year.
Tsunki
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Comment #3Well I am warming to SM he’s obviously not a fan of these pointless SD jollies for the sake of PR.
Jib
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Comment #4They were talking £32 million for Benteke yesterday
Average_Contents
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Comment #5Kevy/mark
Apparently he has a release clause of £32.5m
Not sure how true that is but it’s been mentioned quite a bit.
Laurent Robert 32
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:21 AM
Comment #6I felt sorry for Tomasson when he was here. Absolutely misused. He wasn’t strong, fast, and didn’t have a powerful shot, yet played as a sometimes lone forward. His position was attacking midfielder behind the forwards, but was destroyed here because of another idiot playing people out of position.
Dalglish was criminal with the dismantling of a quality squad.
Wijnaldum is a good purchase, but as we’ve let a load go without replacing them, there’s a lot more players needed. About 6 steps back and one forward.
I hope Cathro lives up to his billing as an exciting coach, and with the other appointments, I’m looking forward to seeing how the football style will change. We were also told Des Hamilton was a good up and coming player, so nothing can be accepted on face value. I hope Cathro, and Black play their part and do well with McClaren.
That said, McClaren will have had all this hype at his last few clubs…
Interesting to see James’ post about De Jong saying the new training sessions are already about the team keeping the ball and are different from the last setup.
Training sessions less than a few weeks and they already notice that. Not surprising at all.
Oh, and Ashley out.
nut meg
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:23 AM
Comment #7YCMIU /KEVY
Benteke’s buy out clause is 32.5M from what I read.
Jib
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Comment #8Trying to put a positive spin on it
The 1st 4 games in the EPL are in August , if by some chance we have a hot one (it has been known) we could have a conditioning advantage.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:25 AM
Comment #9A_C and Jib
Sounds relatively sensible,i suppose. 30M plus seems the going rate for a recognised goal getter from a mid table side….whether they are worth it or not (Andy Carrol).
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Comment #10…and nut meg.
Sorry you coment was not on the screen when i typed the reply to a_c and jib.
kevymartins
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Comment #11£32m for Benteke. Pfff Liverpool bought Suarez for about that. You could pick Cavani up for in the 20s. Would never ever pay that. Loic Remy a good quality striker went to Chelsea for £8.5m.
Hope Liverpool buy him and he becomes another Andy Carroll.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:29 AM
Comment #12Lr32
Agree about JDT. He took loads of stick, but it wasn’t his fault. You cant sell all your forwards when the best one is injured, and replace them with an AMF.
Jib
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:32 AM
Comment #13YMIU
Remember with Sir Les they tried to call the sale to Spuds off , but he said “fcuk that – I’m offski back to the smoke”
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Comment #14Does de Jong even remember our past training sessions? 😀
beermonkey
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:36 AM
Comment #15jail
most will take say selling gini for 30 40 mill in 2 seasons if we improve the squad
but players like Jonas mbiwa santon were let go sold on the basis of saving cash on wages regardless of the impact it would have on the squad
not all players make it at a club or get to the point where there no longer good enough strike a deal and pay them off football clubs do it all the time leon best was paid a 1 mill the otherday to terminate his deal with Blackburn he cost them 1 mil a goal lol
we keep the crap sell the decent squad players cos they can be sold
Laurent Robert 32
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Comment #16You couldn’t, it was awful at the time. He was supposed to be the one making the final passes and being the additional body getting into the box, but was left there to battle it out for strength against centre halves with his back to goal and all that comes with that role. Shooting was very weak, but again, if played behind the forwards he’d find space and could close down the distance to goal a lot. I’m glad he went on to do really well at Milan.
Sick of us ruining players here through stupidity. I hope McClaren does well and provides us with a better style of football. Here’s to hoping…
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Comment #17I wonder what our “success” rate with signings has been since the first Keegan era? Could only ever be a very subjective measure anyway I suppose. If I was to make a call I’d say about one in four (success rate). Even in Sir Bobby’s time it would have been barely 30%. Bramble, Jenas, Viana, Bowyer, Ambrose, Lua Lua are just a few flops who come easily to mind. I’d have Milner in there too, but I don’t expect many to agree with that.
derekm
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Comment #18I was hopeful on the Mitrovic deal until I relaised who his agent was – here’s his first line of his wikipedia profile:
Pinhas “Pini” Zahavi (Hebrew: ???? “????” ?????; born 1955[1]) is a football agent who has been involved in some of the most expensive and controversial transfer episodes of recent times.
The fact that it is dragging on for so long with family members milking free trips and hospitality sucks – does’nt exactly fill you with confidence over his comittment to the move eh?
Jib
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Comment #19Jesper
According to Carver de Jong OVERSAW some training sessions
JP...from The Rock
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:43 AM
Comment #20Is the hold up of the Mitroivc transfer due to McClaren not currently in Newcastle? Maybe they’re waiting for him to have that Kodak moment with the shirt?
Slank
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Comment #21Cyprus,
I don’t understand why Premiership clubs have to travel such long distances especially to places like the States where the marketing benefit must be marginal.
Whenever I travel long haul I’m always jet lacked afterwards for days. Surely it cannot be good preparation to then play a few games unless the fitness coaches have some magic which us mere mortals don’t have access to ?
Playing in Cyprus would be good, guaranteed weather and almost certainly get crowds of locals, expats and tourists. The club could organise all-in holiday package for fans to combine a holiday and watching the lads.
Tsunki
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:47 AM
Comment #22I’d go with milner OF. Square headed brute ran all day up the wings but you never knew if he was going to deliver a decent cross or a rank one. I don’t think he was a big miss just another untidy workhorse who ran miles but produced very little to get excited about. The lower leagues are full of them, but hats off he worked himself into the Citeh squad and has most people thinking he’s fantastic.
nut meg
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:47 AM
Comment #23On Mitrovic, maybe daddy Mitrovic wants a slice of the pie.It could also be as hibbit says a work permit issue,who knows ?
Tsunki
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:48 AM
Comment #24Derek he has that unfortunate first name. That doesn’t help.
Toon-Prodigy
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Comment #25This Mitrovic is taking the p**s. If he wanted to sign he would be here with his family also. Blatant last option for him is NUFC, he is waiting for his prefered move to materialise. Meanwhile, his agent and his family milk it for all it’s worth.
Pfft.
Jib
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Comment #26According to the Lancashire Telegraph we have made enquiries about Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede —- anyone know this guy ?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:51 AM
Comment #27Lr32
Yeah i remember the Dogleish days well,if not fondly. He was a total clusterfcuk. Some of the things he did were out of spite. He was the one who brought in Andreas Andersson to replace Asprilla, just before he got sacked.
Incidently, if you google andreas andersson, after the wiki entry that comes up first, the next two entries will make you chuckle.
Tsunki
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #28Slank when you long haul 8 hours or so west it’s not so bad for jet lag is it? I think it’s worse coming back, there’s bound to be some biological/mathematical reason I don’t know. Anyway, what I’m driving at is they’ll probably adjust going out there reasonably ok, but coming back it’s a bit of a drag, I expect them to not on their best form a week or so after they return.
Belfast
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #29Three great facts Ed thanks.
Slank
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:53 AM
Comment #30derekm @ 18
Totally disagree about families milking it.
It shows a commitment by the club to secure the player. If the club said no to the family it would give off all the wrong signals and kill any deal for the player and put major question marks over any other players we would be interested in.
I was once recruited in the UK and the company flew me and my wife out to the Far East for the weekend to see whether we liked it. If we did I would sign. If we didn’t we had a free holiday.
Belfast
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:55 AM
Comment #31Aye Jib basically hoof it or he’s useless.
anthc
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:56 AM
Comment #32I think this mitrovic saga stinks. I personally think we’re being milked and used as a platform so that other teams can come in and snaffle him. Everyone of his family has been and had the whole 9 yards bar him. Just doesn’t make sense to me. Hope I’m wrong but I sense being gazumped here.
Slank
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:58 AM
Comment #33Tsunki @ 28
I totally agree. I’m always totally knackered and out of sorts for days afterwards when returning home. My last one from Singapore was worse than I have ever experienced. It must get worse with age.
They could fly to South Africa which is on the same time zone.
beermonkey
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Comment #34could be anything holding up the mitrovic deal
I really don’t see the problem with his parents having an input if he comes he is less likely to be found partying on a Friday with them here
it can also work the other way if they settle here and an offer comes in he is more likely to stay
magpiesi
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Comment #35Mitrovic transfer IMO is being held up by his agent to attract other teams, surely getting his family and co in the news getting nufc to give them tour etc just gets the word out he’s available.
If he signed it would be a quick picture with a scarf/ shirt then off to the states to join team would sort the rest out when back or even do a interview with him and smc while in the states.
Toon-Prodigy
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:03 AM
Comment #36We have had a fee accepted though so why isn’t he here?
Something a miss somewhere.
We are trying to sign him not his family, are they doing a Gazza and wanting a sunbed for his brother, car and house. Least Gazza was on his way down to Spurs at the time haha.
magpiesi
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Comment #37Mitrovic agent said on Saturday the deal would be finalized within hours and the player would sign for 5 seasons I’m just hoping it’s just a medical later today.
Tbh the sterling,schweinsteiger and schniedelin deals are the ones being talked about in press so hopefully nufc are busy with a few while the spot lights off.
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Comment #38Just on Ed’s intro. I think I read somewhere that basketball was quite popular in the U.S. as well….
rwpoynter
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #39Sacramento is at the north end of the Central Valley of California and in August 1969 I can remember driving from Yosemite in the Sierra Nevadas to Sacramento and in less than a 100 miles we went from 60F to 100F, a massive temperature change. Expect Sacramento in July to be mighty hot. But on the upside guys, California outside the big cities is a wonderful and beautiful place, certainly one of my favourites.