It was another very poor performance tonight – this time against a middle of the table Championship side – and with almost the strongest team we could field tonight – we were still second best and deservedly lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday and it could have been worse.
We were again powder puff in the final third and although it may be a big risk on Saturday, McClaren may be forced to start Mitrovic up front against Chelsea and hope he can make a difference.
Another bad result and another pathetic performance
This bad start – worse than last year at this time – seems to suggest the nightmare of last season is still continuing.
That´s unless we are dreaming about this or I´ve died and gone to hell – hang on – let´s stick this pin in my arm.
Ouch – that hurt – no this must be real – I seem to still be in the world of the living.
And while it’s a new team with a new coach at Newcastle, other teams aren’t struggling like we are, and they have new coaches and new players too.
Newcastle cannot fall too far behind in the Premier League table and we have the daunting prospect of playing Chelsea and Manchester City in our next two games, before the two week International break.
You can bet your life both teams will start each game like the proverbial steam train and try to score goals early so both games could be over fairly quickly.
If we happen to lose both those games then those two weeks of International football are going to be shrouded in negativity at Newcastle – it may be a good time to take a vacation and get away from it all.
The again maybe England will win both their games.
Newcastle are finding it hard to win a game and now have five defeats and one win (against a League Two club) in our first eight games of the season.
And in five of those games we haven’t scored and our top scorer is Daryl Janmaat our right-back.
That´s not good.
Sounds just like last season under John Carver, and Mike Ashley will be just a little worried that we may be in for yet another relegation fighting season, and that´s after spending £52M in the summer transfer market.
Oh my – and we were expecting a decent season this time around.
Tells you how much we know.
Comments welcome.
60 comments so far
firebug666
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:00 PM
Comment #1I really cannot vote for any of them and so the little old tea lady gets it.
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:01 PM
Comment #2It’s very simple…if you continue to by unproven players and sell the best ones, keeping the tripe then you obviously will have a lot of players who can’t make the grade.
The few who have ability will struggle with weaker lads around them and become disillusioned.
Regardless of whether you pay a person £6 an hour or £40,000 a week you still need to have people who enjoy the job, take pride and want to show their best.
Money is not the only motivating factor, in fact it’s usually not as big as job satisfaction and working with good colleagues/management to improve yourself.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:02 PM
Comment #3Ok,
Just read that two of my favourite posters feel sorry for Mclaren, simply can’t agree, he is on the board, he has signed up to what they do and his best signing let the at out of the bag that Watford was more our league, he must be in on that !
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:02 PM
Comment #4Also, I know it’s far from this one players fault but Mitrovic needs to look at himself. His stupid cards could have cost us these past few games.
Although I must say, the problem is loads bigger than him.
toon kk
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:04 PM
Comment #5Transfer
very true.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:04 PM
Comment #6TS,
Something is wrong !
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:05 PM
Comment #7Tads are Anita or collo better?
Williams or alderwielrd would be better
Both with prem experience not even thought of!
The huge problem is we buy FROM abroad not that there foreign
Shot Bru
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:06 PM
Comment #8Brolly for the Wally
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:06 PM
Comment #9Jail
It’s simple to say people should try as on 40k a week but as much as that is to us it’s just a standard wage at that level. They can go anywhere and get around that money.
I think the policy of survival only and not winning anything is ingrained in these lads now, built into the culture at the club.
It’s the opposite of how Alex Ferguson built a winning mentality where he teams never felt beaten.
Bri
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:06 PM
Comment #10It really is infuriating when the team struggle to create chances never mind sticking the ball in the net.
Where Mc and the team go from here god knows.
firebug666
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:08 PM
Comment #11Sage
I agree on Mitrovic, he needs to calm down and get back to playing football. He is the kind of player that can change a game for us but only if he can stay on the pitch.
However I’m not sure anyone can do anything playing in this team. we have no pride or passion, the players lack belief in themselves and their team mates.
This will be a very tough season and I fear we already know the end result.
Belfast
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:08 PM
Comment #12If I ain’t one of them I’ll be deeply disappointed Jail. 🙂
Bobbybee
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:08 PM
Comment #13I gave Mbabu my vote. Slipped in well at right back and supplied a lovely cross that De Jong blasted over when really he should’ve scored. Less to worry about if Jamaat gets hurt/suspended. And that, even from an optimist like myself, is about it. Insipid.
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Comment #14Manx
Exactly. You need those with leage experience, can get away with a few but not all signings from abroad.
Nationality isn’t the issue as you says, it’s experience in the league, the culture, the nature of play, knowing opposition players, etc.
The only experience we have is bad experience in sub par players for the most part.
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:11 PM
Comment #15Fire bugg
I really can’t put my finger on it. The same problems are at sunderland too. Decent players on paper but for whatever reason just aren’t up for games and can’t deliver like they can at other clubs.
I don’t know if there is a drinking culture with players up here or something else but it’s the two big teams.
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:12 PM
Comment #16I.e go for wnyama and move on tiote
Sell cisse buy austin
no we don’t do that we buy players that look good for a season in shitter leagues
And that don’t suit the league by the looks of it
Transfer Sage
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:13 PM
Comment #17These last few years have put me off football. I still care about my team and look out for results but watch a lot less games, even miss highlights and never go to games now.
It’s horrible really, dunno how many others feel the same.
firebug666
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:16 PM
Comment #18Sage
Sunderland are at least scoring goals. we can’t even buy a goal at the moment.
The night life may have something to do with it, but I would have thought that McClaren would keep them off the booze at least a day before a match.
Not all of our players are bad, just the one that are, are dragging the good ones down with them.
Shot Bru
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:17 PM
Comment #19There’s no leadership, on or off the pitch.
Players don’t play as a team.
No balance of experience, younger players or players at the peak of their game.
Too many players who are ok with losing.
Shocking transfer policy, why we only bought 1 defender is mental.
Another British Manager who is lost somewhere in the 90’s
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:18 PM
Comment #20In the 50 years I’ve been going to SJP I’ve seen some sh*t and that dished out tonight was SH*T!!!!!!
Beaten by a better team
humiliated by the Sheff Wed Supporters who out sung us from begining to end
McLaren what the F••k are you playing at playing – One up front
One shot if you can call it on target.
My we started well the first 5 minutes strung a hundred passes together Sheff Wed never got a touch mind you with those 100 pases we never crossed the half way line sideways backwards backwards sideways Wednes day just sat backed and watch us fart about.
I don’t think a good stuffing at home to Chelsea and away at City will wake that lot from their slumbers.
Relegation nailed on
Onl;y one who looked like he cared was Tomey when he came on
BeeGuy
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:19 PM
Comment #21Can a they be relegated to league 1 at the first call?
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:19 PM
Comment #22Sage as i say they don’t suit our league
wenger gets loads of stick for not buying but i feel he knows the players that not only fit his system but the league and that is why!
He really doesn’t have many duffers does he unlike many managers including fergie and every Newcastle manager in the last 20 years
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:21 PM
Comment #23Go on jail name your favourite posters?
jimmysmith
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:21 PM
Comment #24Yeah, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. We’ve been given precious little to enjoy for far, far too long. I’m going to take Newcastle one game at a time for little while, try and disassociate for the time being, like a recovering drunk.
firebug666
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:21 PM
Comment #25NEWCASTLE’S shambolic start to the season plumbed new depths as they were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by Championship opposition, with Steve McClaren admitting his players are struggling to find a way to turn things around.
Lewis McGugan’s second-half strike enabled a Sheffield Wednesday side featuring ten changes to claim a 1-0 win at St James’ Park, and ensured Newcastle exited the League Cup at the third-round stage despite this summer’s pledge to “take the cup competitions seriously”.
The Magpies have now claimed just four wins in all competitions since the start of the calendar year, with Wednesday night’s dreadful display marking a new low in terms of their struggles.
Their fortunes are unlikely to improve quickly given that their next two league games pit them against Chelsea and Manchester United, but McClaren admits his players cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves despite their latest embarrassment.
They were booed off at both the half-time and full-time whistles, with McClaren coming in for particular criticism as he left the field.
“I’ve been in football too long to be embarrassed,” said the Newcastle head coach. “But I am angry and disappointed. Things like that can happen in football, we said that beforehand.
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“It is a very disappointing result and evening for everyone. We had enough possession and enough of the ball and created enough chances. But if you don’t score, you don’t win.
“The longer the game went on there was a nervousness, around the stadium and on the field. You can sense that and you can sense this kind of thing coming.
“I have said to the players, ‘You can’t feel sorry for yourselves, you have to come out on Saturday and be a fighter or a victim’. It is one or the other, and we can only have fighters on there now.
“We have the quality, but we are not producing it. It is hard to put your finger on why, but we have to find it.”
McClaren’s team selection was flawed, with Siem de Jong appearing unsuited to the lone striker role he was handed at kick-off and Georginio Wijnaldum lost in a no-man’s land between attack and midfield.
However, it was the complete lack of confidence and spirit within the Newcastle squad that was the most alarming aspect of the display, with McClaren admitting his players’ mental attitude has to change.
“It is a mentality thing,” he said. “You can go into those games and feel sorry for yourself, but we can’t have that and we can’t make excuses.
“I am not here to criticise individuals. Whatever I say will never be enough to vindicate the performance and the result. The only thing we can do is get in, in the morning, and prepare for Chelsea.”
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Aleksandar Mitrovic’s return from suspension should at least help bolster the attack on Saturday, with Wednesday night’s attacking problems underlined by the fact that it was the 85th minute before Newcastle recorded a shot on target, and even then Wijnaldum’s strike was a tame effort that failed to trouble Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith.
“We had plenty of the ball in the final third and shots, but we didn’t hit the target enough,” said McClaren. “We are missing strikers, with two injured (Papiss Cisse and Emmanuel Riviere). We are trying things to alleviate that, but at the present moment, results dictate it is not working.”
toonking
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:25 PM
Comment #26manxpie
that’s excactly it, the only reason some might use the word british is most foreign players are usually already a key part it’s other team so will be expectsive and not very common in the first place, what doesn’t make it much easier is our last 2 great leaders were themselves british in nolan and barton.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:27 PM
Comment #27McClaren says we had plenty of the ball – I but Sheff Wed knew they could give us much of the ball as they wanted and we would not be able to score.
One pathetic shot on target in 90 minutes against a Championship Teram shows our ambition.
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
weg
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:30 PM
Comment #28Everyone knew in the summer we needed a total overhaul of the squad, and it didn’t happen. 5 players brought in – 4 from other leagues and 1 from lower league football. The rest of the squad are players embedded in the mediocrity that runs right through the club.(for years).
We have only 3 fullbacks ffs, 1 new CB, Why the hell do we still have Willo, STayler and Collo? We needed at least 2 strikers because Cisse doesn’t seem to be interested. The rest of the squad are like luke-warm bath water! (except for Aarons, Perez and Janmaat!)
The new signings need time to bed in – into this league as well as this team!
MacLaren is pretty good with the press and trying to be open with the fans – which is good – but his management record is still average.
Until Charmless is replaced by someone qualified for the job, and Carr is ordered to be a scout – and just a scout – I cannot see things improving much!
toonking
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:33 PM
Comment #29might as well leave it there
We’re relegated.
Mister Tuff
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:34 PM
Comment #30We can only hope that Mitrovic lives up to promise and starts getting a few goals -otherwise we are probably going down.
Definitely no eigth place finishes or cups this season.
If we continue as we are -even reinforcements in January won’t save us.
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Comment #31Well tbh British top flight player’s are Wat we need but guess Wat i aitnt racist or xenophobic that seems to he thrown about a lot lately but a core of English players that are great and that know Wat this league is like and what the fans are like already save millions on transfers fees
btw I wasn’t be in racist or xenophobic just to make it clear to the people who are all to quick to make judgement (and btw tell everyone how shit the English are!!!)
But to have 3 or mor front players more worried about how they look in a tux than in a game is shocking!!!!
Tsunki
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:48 PM
Comment #32” Lee – exactly what did you blow £50 m on?”
Bobbybee
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:52 PM
Comment #33As blog otimist I feel obliged to try and find something positive to say. Boy, am I struggling. As that was the worst I can remember for a long time, I shall grasp onto the notion that we are at rock bottom. Therefore, the only way is up from here. Sorry, but that’s the best I can manage. 🙂
manxpie
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:52 PM
Comment #34Tsunki xenophobic if ever i seen a post!
Tsunki
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:57 PM
Comment #35Like many posters I was underwhelmed by SM’s appointment. It only seemed constructive in the wake of Pardews disastrous reign and the Carver shambles. I remember pointing out how much lower our expectations had become because of years of incompetent brinkmanship by Ashley. But we got him and Average Steve and his coaching crew seemed to be a step forward again. But in the meantime the players have cottoned on that this is not the team he wants, or asked for. It is an oddball selection, and they know it. They are tired of Mike’s game, and they are tired of this club, always struggling, being held back by business at the cost of sporting achievement. Steve may have signed into something but I doubt he was pointed to the small print. I think he realises he made a big mistake. So long, optimism. So long, brave new era, and so long Mike’s Horse.
lesh
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:57 PM
Comment #36Toon Prodigy (from previous thread.
You’ve hit the nail on the head when you say that the money-driven transfer policy’s coming home to roost.
I agree that McClaren’s naively walked into a mess of a club yet he is paid to get results. Is it the players that aren’t good enough, ot maybe there isn’t enough quality in an imbalanced squad, is it McClaren, Cathro? Something else.
If results show no sign of improvement for Christmas at mid-table, then McClaren’ll have to think about the options – maybe let Cathro loose with the first team? Maybe stick things out? Walk?
What a mess
Tsunki
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:58 PM
Comment #37Manx pie – xenophobic? Eh?
international
Sep 23, 2015 at 11:58 PM
Comment #38Are we loosing faith already in the McClarren era? Looking at the fixture list the games after the international break looks more favorable, but with setbacks like today he has bought himself less time. We have to show big improvements on the pitch the next two matches. Even if its probly gonna be two losses, the team must act more together.
manxpie
Sep 24, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Comment #39Jail so you are forgetting that when said player said such was after arsenal and man u? Or are you listening to Wat journalists want you to lol? Just wondering coz I thought ya were better than that?
SPRINGY
Sep 24, 2015 at 12:04 AM
Comment #40bobby
i like you have had the give it time and dont panic approach…..but cant see any improvement at all…infact seem to be getting worse….was expecting improvement in play or defensive tightening even if the results were’nt there……but nothing….losing faith and beginning to believe my first thought that macca was’nt good enough for the job is the thought….disappointing doe’snt come close