There was a good interview yesterday with Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren, as he talked about the game on Tuesday night, but more importantly about the way the Newcastle players are slowly but surely understanding the new way he wants the team to play with good possession football and quick passing.
Steve McClaren – players starting to understand
This is what Steve said, talking initially about the 2-1 loss to Club Atlas:
“I didn’t think in the first-half we were very good without the ball. I thought they were very aggressive.¨
“They won duels, they won more tackles than us, they broke the play more than u,s and at half-time we said: ‘Look after yourselves but, hey, you have to compete.”
“Once they did that in the second-half there was only one team in it.¨ “I was disappointed with the goals, disappointed – we need to be a better team without the ball.”
“We were in the second-half; we pushed on and pressed more compact, better shape, and dominated the game from the on.”
“There were signs that the players are taking on board what the coaches are asking them to do which is encouraging. They were brave and encouraged to play.¨
“As I say, we need to improve without the ball and be a better team. We did in the second-half and we need to continue that.”
Newcastle play Sacramento Republic in their third pre-season friendly tomorrow night at Bonney Field, and they are not an MLS club.
They were formed three years ago and play in a lower league – the United Soccer League (USL), and we may even see Georginio Wijnaldum make his first appearance for Newcastle.
The Dutchman certainly looked good in training yesterday, as he scored this great goal.
We could see how well he links up with former Dutchman Siem de Jong, who is also a class player and fit again after the trials and tribulations he had last season with various injuries.
Comments welcome.
111 comments so far
Bambams
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #41I have heard Charnley has had to upgrade his mobile phone ( dropped his in the toilet when Wini signed) but it won’t be delivered until Tuesday.
Seemingly he has spoken to Kinnear and asked to borrow his mobile but this was refused…..
So expect no signings until middle of next week fellas….
Jail for Ashley
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #42kevy,
I can’t believe that some people are suggesting we leave it until the last minute to buy Austin to save a few quid, can we really afford to do that. With fans like that who needs Ashleys.
stripes1009
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #43So if Mitrovic joins Chelsea, does that open the door to us signing Patrick Bamford?
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:14 AM
Comment #44@Our Toon I disagree if it shows anything it would be commitment. Surely he would take a pay cut for his first year for new contract so he wouldn’t be there for his money. And you can’t say because what he thinks of his own ability alot of nufc players stuck around when we went down ie Tim Krul do you think Timmy thinks he is Championship Quality?
expatmag
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Comment #45I dont believe for one minute Chelsea are in for Mitorvic. With Costa Falcao Remy and Bamford all vying for one position up front, it makes little sense.
I see him signing for Porto and Austin going to someone like WHU.
I agree with other on here. Why are we not signing central defenders?????,,
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Comment #46Jail
I wouldn’t pay 15m for a player especially when the defence hasn’t been sorted out. I’d rather we spend on getting really quality in at the back before we look to spend 15m on a striker who has failed multiple medicals!! 2 CB’s should be the main priority
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Comment #47Wonder if Remy would fancy another season up here if Mitty went to Chelsea. He can play just as well as a lone forward or wide in a 433, and he seems just as comfortable in either role….. yeah dreaming o know
optimistic prime
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Comment #48Kevy
So Austin is going to knock back a premier league move and take a pay cut to stay with Qpr?
I think not
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #49I was thinking myself maby we would go for Austin as a loan deal like Remy but hope we learn to put a buy option in but can’t see that happening with Benteke going to Liverpool an all there will be teams putting in £15m bids no doubt about it.
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #50Kevy
Austin is already on quite a wage packet at QPR, Fernandes isn’t short in money either so if you think he’ll take a paycuy then you are deluded. Yes we had lads who stayed with us you are quite right, the lads who stayed with us though had always played football at the top level.
Austin has come from the championship had 1 season in the prem, his situation is different to those who stuck by us. He should be wanting to prove himself in the prem as he is 26….27 by the time next season comes round, not settling for a season in the championship.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Comment #51Our Toon,
It doesn’t matter what order we get them in, we need to get at least another four first team players. I honestly don’t know what is stalling getting defenders in but I have a feeling it has got to be a lack of clubs willing to take STaylor and/or Williamson off of our hands. I honestly believe that if we don’t sell either of them we will be stuck with our same tired calamitous defence.
BandB
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Comment #52If you do absolutely everything in your power in pursuit of a goal and fail because of events beyond your control, there is no shame in it.
The question is, are we doing everything in our power to complete deals?
Some folks were making the point a couple just over a week ago that Wijnaldum’s people must have been giving us the come on because we would not have submitted a bid otherwise.
If that was a rule of thumb then, it must still be a rule of thumb now.
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:23 AM
Comment #53YCMIU
Apparently Pards is in for Remy, 10m or 12m is the fee being discussed. Surely we could hijack that….I’d rather spend 10m or 12m on Remy than 15m on Austin
BandB
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:23 AM
Comment #54If QPR decide they’ll take £12m for Austin, I don’t think we’ll be favourites to sign him anymore.
Offkey
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Comment #55Off topic, Abeid and Satka have now gone out to America. If someone knows or has heard any reports, can someone tell me……
Was this for some sort of extended rest or something else e.g. weren’t in first team plans or injuries in USA?
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Comment #56@ Op why not? As I said a few of our own players did when we went down.
Although I can’t see it happening because for a player of his quality you just know they will get the bid they are looking for because imo it is more than fair price tag put on him.
Rotonda heights
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #57jail
I freely admit given his very chequered cv that SM certainly wasn’t my first choice, when there did appear to be other more exciting options out there.
However, there are a combination of things that have made me re-appraise SM somewhat.
Certainly it sounds as if SM wants to play football rather than the sit back and hope we nick one philosophy of the last 4 years. Allied to that I think we have played a blinder in getting Cathro on board.
I, like everyone else am extremely concerned that the defense does not appear to have been addressed as there has to be something more concrete than just hoping one or 2 of Dummet, Lascelles, Satka and Good will come through.
However, to constantly bemoan everything is kind of a self fulfilling prophecy of doom and gloom so the best we can do is hope that Charnley can amaze us, get off his proverbial and pull a few rabbits out in the next 3 weeks.
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #58Jail
Going on Ashley’s past, do you really think if we bough Austin for 15m and considering we’ve signed Wij for 14.5m that he’ll spend what’s required on the defence? I don’t trust him enough to take that gamble so would prefer the defenders in first then spend what’s left on a forward if needs be
BandB
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #59Rotonda
Constant bemoaning certainly doomed Pardew.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #60If we sign 1 forward, and 2 cbs, the window will have been just about adiquate. (Thats 4 senior players if you include gini)
Add another fw to that number, and the window becomes “good” imo. (5 players)
Add a further player (probably a full back) then it would be a very successful window,(6 players), given that some of the tripe would HAVE to be moved out to accomodate in all 3 scenarios
Jib
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #61Chancel Mbemba
Antonio Rudiger
Lewis Dunk
Ben Gibson
Joel Matip
Florentin Pogba
Stefan Savic
Aleksandar Dragovich
Robin Knoche
Kyriakos Papadopoulos
Fabian Schar
These Centre Halfs have all been linked with us . They all fit the same template , Tall (6′ 3″ or over) young (24 or under) and available.
McClaren clearly knows what he’s looking for.
Rotonda heights
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #62our toon
remy wants the bright lights of london, i think we are too provincial for anything other than a fleeting stay
will die for the toon army
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #63This has really dragged on. Will we sign any one? We desperately need a player in those positions Striker and CB. WHAT THE HELL IS CARR and CHARNELY doing?
Jail for Ashley
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Comment #64Despite all these claims of a new era, mid table with little expenditure with the masses thinking we are now ‘competing’ will suit Mashers very nicely. Schteve is on a win/ win, he can’t really do any worse than Pardew without getting us relegated and he can leave in three years time after a ninth, 12th and 11th place finishes with people saying he done well uder Mike Ashleys restraints, we all get labelled deluded for wanting more.
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Comment #65As for Remy I thought I seen he wants to stay at Chelsea. An Mourinho will know he needs him. He played a big part for Chelsea last season. Everytime they needed somebody he stepped up and done his job. Scored everytime he was called upon. Mourinho ain’t the best manager in the world for nothing an I bet Remy gets more game time than Falcao this season.
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Comment #66Kevy
If someone was willing to pay the 15m he’d have gone a longtime ago buddy, if he had the quality you claim he does then he’d already be at a new club. Teams know he can’t play up top by himself so have steered well clear. Even Leicester City don’t think he’s worth 15m
Why do you think no one has met the asking price? I honestly thought he’d be hot property for a lower prem league team. I didn’t think 17th of July Austin would still be a QPR player. It’s a surprise
optimistic prime
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #67Kevy
Which of our players took a wage cut?
Proof would be nice, but I think you’ll find the club didn’t have relegation in mind when the players signed their original contracts so there where no clauses as reported by many sources.
Players stayed because we couldn’t flog them, I doubt any took a pay cut.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Comment #68Rotunda,
I’m being quietly optimistic as I agree there is little point in bemoaning this ‘new era’ before it has started. All I’m doing is offering another point when I see people saying that now is a new era. SM is certainly making the right noises but then again they all do when starting a new job.
toon kk
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Comment #69Our toon
We desperately need defenders but also strikers, we have very little to no cutting edge in front of goal. I can’t see the money spent to make enough difference to our basic squad.
A couple of injuries and we’ll be no better than last season.
optimistic prime
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #70http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-target-charlie-austin-only-9674904
People with a lot more brain power than us rate Austin at £7.5m
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #71Kevy
Falcao will get more game time over Remy, Abrahmovic hasn’t just folked out 250k per week to have Falcao play 3rd fiddle and behind Remy. Mourinho will also want to show the world he’s better than Van Gaal as a man manager by getting the best out of Falcao….its an ego thing with him. Remy won’t get a look in
Munster Mag
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Comment #72Optimistic, qpr are saying they may give him a new contract. That would concern me – suit wife / family in london. I think we can put Mitrovic to bed now. Re Charnley, i trust him more this season. NUFC dont have a whole lot to offer anbitious players who have played in CL or have that ability. For example, if he had wanted to sign some of the nobodies that Sunderland have signed , it wouldnt be hard, but that wont get us anywhere, or appease a very demanding fanbase. Unlike seasons past, I am more confident, and I agree with Rotunda about the new coach and set up. Palace getting Remy would be a sickener, and again, those saying the silver haired one will relegate them are wide of the mark, just as they were last season. Didnt stop people shouting their mouths off though. Im pleased to have Shteve though. But the club has changed. I am sure Pardew wud love to have e mailed us all ( and praised himself about his saignings !! ) but this is clearly a blub policy change. And we wud not have gone for Mitrovic and Gini previously.
Munster Mag
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Comment #73Jib, didnt I read one onserver say that Matip wasnt good at all, and responsible for loads of errors and goals ??
will die for the toon army
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Comment #74Our signing look to easy to get there r some we were punching above our heights like Abdennor and Mitrovic.
1. Matip-last year of his contract we r e only ones linked to him.
2. Bost – looked an easy one till Liverpool bought that brazillian crazy money.
3. Austin – No competition we jst have to match the amount.
4. Rudiger – Wants first team football which we can give them.
overtheline
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #75In memory Liam and John HWTF
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #76Toon KK
Cisse scored 11 league goals with 1 knee and under ultra defensive managers in Pardew and Carver. We conceded 60 plus goals though, even if we kept the same strike force amd improved the defence by conceding 15 less goals we’d be in top 8.
Signing a striker and not improving the defence significantly means we will still battle relegation
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #77@ourtoon he will go for it no doubt.
Teams live LFC are raising the price for all teams selling players for stupid amounts and splashing it out for average players. If Austin isn’t worth £15m with 1 year left on his contract then is Danny Ings worth £9m as a free agent?
Harry Kane has had 1 good PL season and I bet you he worth over 30 easy.
kevymartins
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #78@ourtoon well abramovic didn’t mind doing it with Torres and plenty other players.
@OP Another point is he is home grown City has swiched there attention to James McCarthy because he is home grown. Let’s see just how much they spend on him.
mickalfas
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #79It’s quite normal for players to move on with a year left
Problem with our players ,noone in their right mind would pay for them
Unsellable
Our Toon
Jul 17, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Comment #80OP
Interesting article mate, I’ll have to dig deeper into how the calculations work