It was difficult to know what to expect today from a Newcastle side that hadn’t played together before today.
Steve McClaren made a brave decision before the game to start both Coloccini and Mbemba in the heart of the defense, and it paid off, and the two showed they could form a very good partnership – once they have played a few more games together.
Chancel Mbemba looked excellent on his debut. and so did the sublime Gini Wijnaldum.
Steve McClaren on the touchline today
Both players did really well, given that had very little play in pre-season – Colo had none – and Mbemba played about 30 minutes last Saturday against Borussia Monchengladbach.
But we looked weak against high centers coming in – which is how Southampton got both their goals.
But it’s also the job of the full-backs (and others) to stop those crosses coming in and both were from the right win – so that’s an area the side can improve on.
This is what Steve McClaren said after the game:
“I didn’t quite know what to expect because it’s been a short pre-season,” “The only really decent game was Borussia Monchengladbach last week, and even that was a nice, gentle pace.
“Southampton looked like they’d played more competitive games than us, which they have because of the Europa League, but while I didn’t really know what to expect from us, I’m absolutely delighted with what I saw.
“For 75 minutes, the team were excellent. We didn’t play smart after that, but fatigue played a part. The game had everything.” “Jack Colback made a great block to get us the point.”
“Have we learned anything? We’ve learned so much. Can we get better? Most definitely.” “Once we get up to our fitness levels as the weeks go on, this is certainly something to build on.” “Not just the team – the squad as well.”
“I don’t like conceding goals like that.” “Pelle was always a danger, and it was a terrific header from him, but we didn’t do enough to stop the cross or mark in the box to put him off.”
“The second goal was probably even more disappointing than the first. It’s given us something to work on, but then we always thought there would be.”
We were surprised Newcastle were so good, but some of the lads did tire towards the end of the game, and if any side was going to win it late – it was Southampton.
But this was so much better than the tripe served up last season by John Carver and company – this was a different class completely.
And as we suspected Steve McClaren will be able to get the best out of a number of Newcastle’s players – like Coloccini and Vurnon Anita to name two.
Cheick Tiote could also have a good season under Steve McClaren, who knows him well from their two seasons together at FC Twente.
And after Vurnon Anita was stretchered off in the second half and replaced by Cheick, Steve McClaren had good news on the Dutchman:
“Vurnon is OK and he’s walking around normally. We will assess it this week.”
Southampton should do well again this season, although they do have the Europa League and with all the game they will have to play that could be difficult for them.
Steve McClaren is said to have had a long meeting with owner Mike Ashley before the game – so hopefully we will now have the three players lined up to sign before September 1st.
🙂
All we needed today to make it perfect was a win, but we just couldn’t hold out – but those 90 minutes will help a lot of our players, and we will be a lot more match fit at Swansea next Saturday.That’s another tough game for us, but we did manage a 2-2 draw there last season.
Comments welcome.
179 comments so far
jane
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:21 PM
Comment #41“A couple of jokers went for Austin and Riviere”
I will be the only one laughing if we sign him!
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:22 PM
Comment #42@39
????
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:23 PM
Comment #439
Hi mate, watched the game and as soon as Anita went off we sat back and allowed Southampton come on to us, not intentionally, but Tiote is no visionary and limited in his passing range.
Anita was excellent while he played as he linked everything up and without him we sat deeper and that’s how Mitovic was isolated.
It was a good game though and a big improvement on last season, where we would have not only lost, but lost by some way as Southampton are a very good side
Irishmag
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:23 PM
Comment #44Anyone think we should give Lascelles a chance?? Showed good qualities at forest and is a big lad which is what we need..can’t be much worse than Colo tbh
check the toastie
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:24 PM
Comment #45Abeid should have been on the bench instead of Tiote, he was really bad and has been awful for a long time.
Was a cracking game and the difference in the football served up today than over the past 8years was noticeable. Its hopefully going to be a canny year.
Make no bones about it lads, there are no easy games in this league.
Collo is clearly a concern, but I have to say De Jong puzzles me, reckon he would look good in a dominant team, ala Berbatov but a passenger when we are under the cash, Aarons and Perez have already proven they offer more.
Atmosphere was good, enjoyed the day.
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:26 PM
Comment #46C’mon, boys:
“NUFC got tired….” Are you for real? This is unbelievable garbage. Why on earth would 11 professionals ( 3 of whwich have only been on for half an hour or less) get “tired” in their very first match?? Are you missing something? Or am I missing something? To me, this is the most unbelievable excuse in the world!
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:29 PM
Comment #479
There is a massive difference between being fit and being match fit. Every player, every manager/coach will tell you it takes three or four games for all players to become match fit.
The only sides that truly looked up to speed this weekend are the ones that have been playing Europa qualifiers
Belfast
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:30 PM
Comment #48Basically our left back can’t defend. Which is usually a problem if you’re not playing for Barcelona.
Enrique is available on loan apparently. If we aren’t interested it’s criminal.
He’ll probably go to West Brom and there will be shouts of why didn’t we sign Enrique on loan all season. *Mystic Belfast*
Belfast
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:33 PM
Comment #49The blog fountain of knowledge Aka Tequila has been pointing this out about our left back for about two years to be fair.
He’ll probably be along at some point to crow about it.
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:33 PM
Comment #50By the way, I’ve just now read Ed’s original comment, that the new boy Mbemba was “excellent”. I remember Pat Nevin pointing out that he was 5’11” and “couldn’t compete” in the air with Soton’s forwards (hence the first goal?). Who is right?
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:35 PM
Comment #51The first goal came when Pella split Colo and Mbemba, there was no challenge on him in the air or in the ground
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:38 PM
Comment #529
Wait and watch the replay then judge. People who say Colo had a bad game r crazy. The two goals were both Janmatt and Mbembaz fault.
Janmatt was one of the worst players on pitch.
beermonkey
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:41 PM
Comment #53has there been any news on anita
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:43 PM
Comment #54Jack@46
Thank you for your reply. I can’t match your call that “EVERY manager/coach will tell you” because I don’t know any. I do know, however, that all commentators I have read are dissing the Europs League for putting too many demands on players (which I have never believed) so that seems to go against your view (though I concede it is now very early in the season, so might not be quite what they are all rabitting on against). I personally loved NUFC in the Europa League, maybe I’m stupid, but my visit to Benfica was a real highlight. Anyway, NUFC claiming to be tired is just unprofessional/shocking/idiotic, as far as my grasp of commonsense goes. (Yes, I know WHU won)
Belfast
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:43 PM
Comment #55Stoke are making some quality signings these days like. Despite Liverpools win I still think Rodgers will be the first manager sacked this season.
totsy
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:46 PM
Comment #56jesus, some of you need to lighten up, its the first game of the season against a strong side and we held our own to the point where we could have won. take your negativity elsewhere because it only breeds more negativity, something the club and fans could probably do with a break from.
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:47 PM
Comment #57beermonkey
Mcca said he is walking well. He will b accessed tomorrow
geordielad880
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:47 PM
Comment #58all the players were not tired, it was our pacey players thats legs had gone, sissoko, wijnaldum, obertan and colback were the only 2 that lasted the 90 still running, i would have brought s.taylor on for anita, and switched colo to holding midfield, and aarons on for sissoko, perez for wijnadum
beermonkey
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:50 PM
Comment #59will die for the toon
thanks
check the toastie
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:51 PM
Comment #60This blog is full of plums, childish brats, if you went to the ground today and came out unhappy you should pack it in.
We are going in the right direction, but we most certainly need a 6ft 4inch plus centre back to play with Mbemba. His new name is Des, he is like a cultured Des Walker, end up at Barcelona the lad, Rolls Royce footballer. Great signing, but Collo has lost a lot.
Super footballer but legs have gone.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:52 PM
Comment #61Jack Butler – the problem with their plan is 2 fold for me.
1.if they build over a number of windows the layers that do well are going to be in demand. Under Ashley that likely means a sale….and we start again.
2. The sides around us are passing us make no bones about it by investing and balancing the sides quickly. Our biggest imbalance is our defence and the supply to our attackers. A couple of key injuries and we are exposed.
I don’t expect 2 players in every position in this window. I do hope we can plug the main gaps though. A centre back, a winger who can cross and a creative strike with pace.
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:52 PM
Comment #62Mitrovic shld start wen the team is on fire rather than bring him on wen sissoko is out of steam.
Dummett shld come back soon not impressed by Haidara.
@9 I miss Europa too more times to see my team play is good for me.
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:54 PM
Comment #63totsy@55
I’m not negative. I’m positive. I believe we can and should win matches, especially home mathes.
geordielad880
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:54 PM
Comment #64after anita went of i would have went:-
————————-Krul
Janmaat——-mbemba—–s.taylor——haidara
—————–collo———colback
————————perez
obetan————————————–aarons
————————cisse
check the toastie
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:54 PM
Comment #65This Collo to midfield stuff should stop, he’s knackered at centre back never mind the engine room. Totally different skills.
Anita is very important currently, him Colback and Wini where pretty good as a unit.
geordielad880
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:56 PM
Comment #66infront of the back four is not the engine room mate, pirlo played there all his career, he covers about 200m a game, its about ability to read a game, and that is something collocini is good at
jane
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:57 PM
Comment #67“we most certainly need a 6ft 4inch plus centre back to play with Mbemba”
don’t we have one?
geordielad880
Aug 9, 2015 at 9:58 PM
Comment #68we will have to change things against swansea, they will tear us apart, were really impressive against chelsea, stop sigs and shelvey and you have a chance, they create everything
geordielad880
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:00 PM
Comment #69matip is the CB they want to sign, but miles off on price, he fits the bill, tall, strong, decent pace, i dont think we will get another defender, maybe a striker, we are desperate for a CB and RB, and i would say LB also, dont rate haidara at all, shocking positioning, gets turned so easy, and cant tackle
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:00 PM
Comment #70I hope we are keeping Abeid he should have been brought in rather than Tiote as he can actually pass the ball and has some pace !
A couple of times watching the game on telly Tiote looks huge ! Like a slower Sissoko in build !
Still got a really thin squad if Haidara or Janmaat are out we have no one fit currently who can step in
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:03 PM
Comment #71CB is a must and back up RB. We dont need a winger and striker it will b wastage of money.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:04 PM
Comment #72I’m just concerned we keep up the momentum. Great players don’t stick around if you don’t and we do have some to build on.
Far from spoilt brat syndrome. I don’t expect us to be be playing in the champions league or Europe , I’d be surprised if we make 10th place.
Noel Worst
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:06 PM
Comment #73If only we could sign Enrique, erase the past bad blood and somehow restore him to the age he was when he first signed for us. Exactly what we need. Funny whilst he was here we had the exact same problem at the other side with Simpson.
martoon
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Comment #74jane @41 – Sorry no offence intended – it just amused me choosing a player from another team – despite the rumours however you could have the last laugh yet 🙂
Whether we like it or not we did tire towards the end – it was probably the USA trip that did for us. Mac himself said it did us no favours but he can’t be blamed as it was arranged long before he started.
9
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Comment #75Sorry, once again, to contradict Ed, but again, looking at his lead comment, he says we did well to draw at home to a very strong Soton. I strongly disagree, so I took a look at last year’s results. The facts tell me that, last year, a “very strong” Southampton played 19 away matches ( of course) winning 7, drawing 2, and losing 10. So an average side would win at home to Soton. This is my disappointment: I don’t expect my team to be the heap of rubbish Mr Carver managed, I expect my team to be a very decent Premier League side. Failing to clich a home win, despite leading, to Soton does not cut it, sorry. To be clear, my team should finish 8th unless it it badly manged (ho ho) or well managed – in which case we can expect to finish higher than 8th. A home draw to Soton is, frankly, disappointing.
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Comment #76Colo I will never play Midfield so never put him there.
@9 from wat we had last season this is a big improvement.
Belfast
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Comment #77Common sense should prevail and it should happen Noel Worst.
Ok it probably won’t but it’s a damm good idea.
OneAlanShearer
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:08 PM
Comment #78Exactly check on Colo being a dm his legs have gone in fact they went 2 seasons ago.
Haidara and Dummett should be squad players no first choice left back we are exposed every game as a result.
I’m happy we have bought 3 battling quality players I just don’t want to lose them quickly because we lose games unnecessarily due to flawed players.
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:12 PM
Comment #799
I want us to finish top 8 but I control my spoilt brat syndrome. Last season almost killed me.
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 9, 2015 at 10:13 PM
Comment #80We need a CB but we also need a winger
tbf despite some of the hatred being spewed Coloccini played well in parts, once he’s upto full fitness and given time to gel, him and Mbemba will be a good cb partnership. Mbemba is mighty in the air but there was no communication between the defence and the gk, once everything gels the defending will be better. Plus Krul needs to be more authoritative and come out for more crosses.