Steve McClaren held his press conference and rounds of interviews yesterday for the game at home to Southampton on Sunday, and he did say he was nervous about his first game in charge in a competitive match at Newcastle.

Steve  admitted that managers don’t really know how their teams will perform in that first game, but from our poll most fans – 43% – think we can win this game.

Steve McClaren – more players on the way

Newcastle fans are hoping the way the club will be run now is with Mike Ashley taking a step back into the shadows.

It does look like the Newcastle Board are fully in charge of the transfers,  and Lee Charnley has been given money to invest in players in the way they see fit.

We have three good signings so far this summer, but Steve hinted things have to get better after least season’s disaster, and that more players could be on the way:

“We want it to be different, and it needs to be.¨

“The messages from the club over the past few weeks have been very clear, and a statement of intent with three very good signings and maybe – maybe – more on the way.”

“We’ve got to make that statement on the field now. It’s going to be different – a different style and different football – and everybody has got to be able to adapt.”

“Every season is a fresh start, but for Newcastle United it’s a welcome one, and I’m the guy, the head coach in the seat, who has to take it forward.”

Yesterday 19-year-old striker Ivan Toney was finally signed from Northampton Town, and we still need a defender, a winger and another striker brought in over the next 24 days, before the window slams shut on Monday, 31st August.

Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba are all very good signings, and so far Mike Ashley’s promise to invest big time in the squad this summer has turned out to be true.

We still expect Charlie Austin to come in – but that transfer has been painful and it’s stretched on for far too long.

Another club (like Spurs) could still come in and sign Charlie ahead of Newcastle.

Three more players in and only those who the club want to leave on the way out – and we should have a good squad for this season.

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Comments welcome.

Note: Two brothers Phil and Richard Milbourne are on a mission to cycle to all 92 Premier and Football League grounds in England and Wales during four weeks in July and August 2015.

It’s all on behalf of charity and they are raising money for Breast Cancer Care and the British Liver Trust.

They will be in Newcastle today – so see if you can help out a very good cause – you can read about their exploits and denote on their website pedalforpounds here.