It’s obvious that Steve McClaren oozes leadership in everything he does, and he gets people right behind him as he leads the way to make Newcastle into a great club again, who challenge for honors again in England.
That’s what leadership is all about – selling your vision and your methods of achieving it – and have people follow you and participate in making it all real – because you cannot do it all by yourself.
Paul Simpson and Steve McClaren in conference
From what we are starting to hear from the players, the training sessions are something to see and hopefully Steve will have an open training session soon so fans – and the youngsters on their school break – can go and see them in action.
There are of course a lot of things that are needed to support a 25 man squad on tour and back in Newcastle too.
Steve today has gone out of his way to praise the backroom staff at Newcastle:
“We don’t realise the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.” “The staff from day one have been absolutely magnificent.”
“They’ve taken on board what we have been doing.” “The work they do behind the scenes to make it so smooth for the players, we take for granted.”
“But there’s a lot of work.” “The medical team, the masseurs, the kit men and the coaches make it an easier trip.”
“I have to credit the players and staff.”
Steve McClaren is raising the tone and the standards at Newcastle, and tomorrow he will meet Aleksandar Mitrovic and (hopefully) Chancel Mbemba, as the two new players who have arrived at Newcastle in the last four days.
It will be good to hear what the head coach has to say.
Comments welcome.
147 comments so far
Toonfan8
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:10 PM
Comment #1212 goal Tino
absolutely agree with you
Terry
you are true mate, but maybee that is why it takes 3 windows to SM to build a great team/squad…if this window will be 5 in, Wijnaldum,Mitrovic,Mbemba and hopefully Rudiger and Thauvin…in winter another 2-3 players and next summer another 5 of this calibre, we will have really good team, one that will excite
pawl250
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:12 PM
Comment #122Mbemba in
Sign up another right back and a centre back. Would be enough for me. Would love Austin but do not think he would come now Mitrovic is here, would certainly seel Cisse in place of him.
Current Squad:-
———————– Krul
Janmaat – Mbemba – Coloccini – Haidara
———— Wjnaldum – Tiote
Sissoko ———- De Jong ——— Aarons
——————— Mitrovic
Subs
1. Darlow
2. Dummett
3. STaylor
4. Colback
5. Cabella
6. Perez
7. Cisse
Reserves
1. Woodman
2. Williamson
3. Lascelles
4. Anita
5. Abeid
6. Gouffran
7. Obertan
8. Riviere
As I said another right back, centre back and think we are sorted wouldn’t mind a couple more but am not greedy. So many picky people on here wanting an entire new team or the likes of a player like Wijnaldum quality on the bench, it just does not happen in Newcastle! Thing is half the players mentioned will probably flop in the PL.
Bambams
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:14 PM
Comment #123Jayphoto (sorry for delay been cutting lawn)
Aye fella van Dijk looks very composed. I agree the standard of opposition is not brilliant but he is also a Dutch international and has he got pace.
I think lack of pace has cost us so many goals (both ends of the pitch) and to have him and mbemba would -I think ….Be a great partnership.
Cheers fella
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:16 PM
Comment #124Toonfan,
We’ll see if a new era is on the way if we’re doing ik in January.
Altamullan
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:16 PM
Comment #125Agree Scott, re Sissoko on his day. My lad does a cracking Sissoko dribble, it’s his stock move and it makes me smile every time. Also Sissoko is probably the player most likely to attract a sizeable fee (Cisse & Tiote too). Similar to the Anita debate, I think the perceived quality of the player is strongly linked to how and where you play them (as well as psychological factors that might change over time). If SMc has a role for Sissoko that’s a good fit (and his head is still here) then great. If not or he’s not sure/ then new broom time and bring in somebody who is a specialist at what you’re after, or can more easily be shaped to be. I do like him, but would wish him well (and the other two real assets) if an alternative came along who was a better fit for SMc.
martoon
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:18 PM
Comment #126Jail for Ashley @116 – Very well put. Nobody is saying Williamson is world class and should be in the England team (at least I hope not 😀 ). Just that for what he cost he does an adequate job but of course there is always room for an upgrade.
Bambams
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:18 PM
Comment #127Gents I would still prefer a new CB to replace Colo.
Not having a go at him and he has been a good player but he has lost that positional skill which made up for his lack of height and pace.
In his last year, can’t see ash letting him run down his last 12 months on his wages for him to walk away on a free.
Pards rumoured to be after him, going to play him on the left wing by all accounts. ….
beefman13
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:20 PM
Comment #128Jail, no question, Willo gives 100 per cent, effort is not enough imo, he has been here far to long, Saylor is always crocked and we have to clear the decks altogether, i agree though MA has should have brought in adequate players in the time Willo has been here, but did not, even though Mbiwa looked very promising , he just could not hack it, Colo has had his time as well but a year left on the big contract he isnt going anywhere till next year when he prob goes back home.
MA says we now make our own luck, luck and time for Willow and Saylor has surely gone, it bloody has to if we are to move on.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:22 PM
Comment #129If we stregthen again to push on rather than write the season off again !
Terry
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:22 PM
Comment #130Maybe it’ just me remembering how many times last season did I say before games “if gouffran and Williamson start we lose”.Would like to know the answer to that actually
Mister Tuff
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:23 PM
Comment #131yellow belly – sissoko bulldozing his way through is probably the best descriptive of his play that I’ve heard.
It for me describes to a tee his play. Sometimes he gets through and sometimes he doesn’t. It is more to do with his power than skill.
I should point out that Bordeaux fans thought he was a 50/50 player – an equal amount of good games and poor games so I’m not sure he has much more in his locker.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM
Comment #132Tsunki,
It was against Norwich 1-0 I was in the Gallowgate and it was excruciating!
Terry
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Comment #133Beefman13 My thoughts exactly
JamesToon
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Comment #134Yellow belly
I really do not believe pardew tried to play possession football here, he had short stints of doing that in 13/14 season for a few games, but that was it. There was no consistency in pardew’s style imo, one week we’d play long ball the next we pass it slowly across the back line but still resort to hoofing it. Him and carver/stone are very inept at coaching technical football as we’ve seen and been told by the players…
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:28 PM
Comment #135Beefman,
I agree but we won’t be buying three CBs and I’d have Willo over STaylor because of his appalling injury record.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:30 PM
Comment #136Terry,
You should aim your vitriol at those who allowed such players to be first choice, at least they try. Obertroon on the other hand….
nightfa11
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:34 PM
Comment #137surely all these roumors cant be true..
krul
janmaat rudiger mbemba haidara
winjaldum banega (+moutinho?!)
thauvin sdj aarons
mitrovic
7 players with no epl experience in first XI (i also counted in SDJ)
so our squad would be:
GK: krul, darlow, elliot
D: janmaat, haiadara, dummet, mbemba, colo, taylor, wili, lescalles, rudiger
M: tiote, abeid, sissoko, winjaldum, vuckic, colback, anita, moutinho, banega, marveaux, cabella, obertan, aarons, thauvin, sdj, bigi
A: mitro, perez, goufraan, rivi, armstron, pappis
thats 34 players – for a team which is obssesed with balancing the books, im surprised we havent sold anyone yet..cos ATM we already have 30 first team players..
Terry
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:37 PM
Comment #138You can only give players so many chances.Not that we had much choice but the same cbs since the championship is bordering on insane
manni
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Comment #139Rudiger has a knee injury which will keep him out upto 4 weeks supposedly , sustained in pre season,which id be surprised Newcastle would try and sign before he makes a recovery
hibbit
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Comment #140i think the 3 new players are good buys and look very promising but we all need to hope they hit the ground running we could kick off against the saints with 5/6 new players who have not played in the prem that could be a problem it makes it so important to get a CB has played in the prem and is a leader
Graeme
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Comment #141Jail, without a doubt mate. In a choice between Willo and sick-note, then its Willo every time. He isnt the best and we have known it for a long time, BUT – he never gives less than 100%, is rarely injured and never gives in.
That his best is no longer good enough isnt his fault, as the team improves, but its better than the 8 – 10 games you will get from Saylor every year.
pawl250
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:44 PM
Comment #142We won’t even sniff at Moutinho or Banega.
We need a centre back (Mbemba), a right back, then probably another centre back, then a winger.
Pretty much makes us a solid team.
Rudiger was injury prone last season, and Abednnour could not even hold his place in Monaco team (whether that be by injury unsure) so how he commands a 15m fee I do not know. I would much prefer to get a strong player in like Van Dijk personally, and he is pretty quick. But he will compliment the supposed quickness of Mbemba.
Central midfield is out strongest position with Tiote, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Anita, Colback, Abeid and Bigirmana all being able to play the role.
Strikers we have Mitrovic, Cisse, Perez, Riviere and Arsmtrong. Again if we play 1 striker, we are covered pretty well and if all goes to plan Riviere should not even get on the pitch as a starting 11 player this season. Unless he manages to do the complete opposite to last season, because he was awful.
lochinvar
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:46 PM
Comment #143Mwemba and Van Dijik would bully and scare the sh!t out of most attackers and therefore other teams forwards hesitancy would allow us to break up their attacking play and increase our ability to clear the ball and set up our own attacks. Percentages then in our favour for once.
What’s more Tim Krul could scream at them and Jannmaat in Dutch which would motivate their efforts. Maybe Hadeira should go to night school to learn Dutch !
Sack Llambias
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:48 PM
Comment #144Ashley is true to his word –
Appointing a Coach/ Manager and investing in the team.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Accounts for the year to 30 June 2014
Ownership Mike Ashley owns Newcastle United via his company, MASH Holdings Limited, registered in the UK.
Turnover 7th highest, £130m (up from £96m in 2013)
Gate and matchday £26m
TV and broadcasting £78m
Commercial activities £26m
Wage bill 7th highest, £78m (up from £62m in 2013)
Wages as proportion of turnover 60%
Profit before tax £19m (up from £10m in 2012)
Net debt £95m
Interest payable £0.19m
Highest-paid director Unnamed, £106,793 (Lee Charnley was the managing director)
State they’re in
There are two ways of looking at Newcastle’s financial picture it is incomparably healthier than the over-borrowed operation he took over in 2007; money was spent on wages, he has £129m loans interest-free which he did not reduce. Protesting fans see the £19m profit, £39m banked, and ubiquitous free Sports Direct advertising as evidence that Ashley sees the club as a cash cow.
Newcastle maintain this is unfair and have promised to invest this summer – as well as appoint a manager. The figures show the money is there.
nightfa11
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:48 PM
Comment #145pawl250
valencia officials said we offered 9 mio pounds for banega..
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Comment #146I think it’s definitely time Armstrong got sent out on loan, giving him five minutes every now and then is doing nothing for his goals per game ratio.
Sazzer
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:53 PM
Comment #147Lol I mentioned Moutinho on here yesterday and today he’s been a twitter rumour. Salary, age and competition against it happening. Even if Monaco is looking to sell for a reasonable fee this summer.