Steve McClaren has given a number of different interviews since his press conference on Thursday afternoon and in some he’s been positive and in others he’s been not so positive – even saying on Friday that if he was offered 40 points in mid April right now – he would take it.
And he’s also said that Newcastle have no chance of finishing in the top eight and that he’s only concentrating on survival now – all that after just two months of the season?
Steve McClaren on the sidelines at St. James’ Park
But today he has been a lot more positive and admits the only way of breaking out of our terrible start to the season is by being positive and concentrating on some of the good stuff Newcastle have already shown this season.
It’s probably also true that we haven’t got as many points as that good play has warranted – but that’s all past and gone – and it’s water under the Tyne Bridge – time to move on to better things hopefully.
This is what the Newcastle head coach has said:
“By being positive and by showing positive things in that first half against Manchester City.” “And not by doing the things we did in the second half.”
“Simple really – just do that the first half for 95 minutes.” “So we’ve got to work hard and that win will be around the corner.”
“We have to have the self belief that we can do that and get 10 wins from the last 30 games.” “What I see on the training field, what I’ve seen in the first half against Chelsea, against Man City – that’s what I want.”
“Against Chelsea we fought and we defended for our lives, a little bit like we did at Old Trafford.” “I showed them a video after West Ham and we said that’s what we want.”
“It was only about seven minutes the highlight video, but we always do a highlights video as a bit of feedback and we try to make it positive.”
“So that was West Ham when the attitude and display was great for seven minutes out of 90.” “Then the positivity from the Man City game, I’ve had to keep it down to just 20 minutes for Man City.”
“And that’s just in the first half. Nothing in the second half.”
Newcastle fans are fairly confident about tomorrow’s game with over half expecting a win.
If we can put in the same skill and intensity we showed in the first half at Manchester City last time out for the whole game tomorrow – then we should be able to register our first league win of the season.
Howay The Lads!!
48 comments so far
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Oct 18, 2015 at 8:51 AM
Comment #41Catchy…I know alot of ex-players who have played for him seem to rate him mate…BUT it’s not often you hear a fellow player or coach diss someone they have worked for and respect or even just a colleague!
…remember Arry keep saying what a good good coach McClaren is, he’s enthusiastic and so on 😉
He’s just another Pardew and I don’t believe for one minute we couldn’t attract better. We just didn’t want to for some reason. These decisions, which should be made by competent people, always seem to come back and bite us in the @r$e!
lochinvar
Oct 18, 2015 at 8:53 AM
Comment #42Newcastle manager Steve McClaren says it will take three “transfer windows” for the club to start to be successful under his stewardship. (Observer)
Well that’s reassuring to now – by definition this seasons written off ( can I have my money back please ) and the danger is that the third life changing transfer window could take place in the Championship,
McLaren needs to stop his verbal diarrohea and get on with the job he’s paid to do – he’s not the PR lady
ScoopSouthAfrica
Oct 18, 2015 at 8:57 AM
Comment #43I has been a while since I last posted, but I read everyday.
I just wanted to comment on the mathematical chances of staying alive referred to in Posts 2 & 18….. .”We need to win 10 out of the next 30 matches”. This would give us 30 points plus the 3 we have = 33 points Definitely heading for the lower leagues don’t you think.
To quote from the GOT’s “Winter is Coming” & “You know nuffin Steve McClaren”.
Jib
Oct 18, 2015 at 9:10 AM
Comment #44Now that Sunday has arrived and with it the phenomenon that is the British Sunday papers.
You get the impression that some of the journos having had a few days to think about it are definitely cooling towards Jonas Gutierrez.
I don’t think the MP’s that in 2010 amended The Disability Discrimination Act ever intended it to be used by a multi millionaire to sue the people who made him one , for a few extra million.
It was originally gleefully seized upon by the large contingent of Ashleybashers as another nail in big Mike’s plausability coffin but it now seems that his awareness of the situation was minimal.
Guti is now receiving ( rightful ) praise for his performances in Coruna , it will be interesting to see the look on the tribunal’s faces when the plaintiff is introduced as this fit , young , and wealthy , Argentinian footballer.
Jib
Oct 18, 2015 at 9:13 AM
Comment #45ScoopSouthAfrica
Strange things happen in sport.
In the RWC apparently , one of the semi-finalists got beat by lowly Japan !!!!
sparky55
Oct 18, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Comment #46When Maclaren told me we’d win and that we’ll be all right, looking back on it it seemed he was trying to convince himself more than he has trying to convince me, and he just laughed when I said he’ll have to drop to Colo if we’re going to win or we’ll have to score 4.
I didn’t see any steely determination in his eyes, and to be honest he didn’t look like a man who was excited at the prospect of what was ahead of him.
ScoopSouthAfrica
Oct 18, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Comment #47JIB….
You so right, what a wake up call, but I will support them as England got messed up by the Taffy’s. Southern Hemisphere team will win the RWC but methinks it will be NZ.
lesh
Oct 18, 2015 at 10:26 AM
Comment #48Cyprus et al
I know that an ambition of 10 wins in 30 seems weak but if a player’s got any pride and among players equally committed to his team-mates and the Club, I’ve a fancy they would see such an ambition as an affront and far too low.
Might his ambition have been a part of Black’s reverse psychology – tell the players that’s all they’re capable of and they’ll do their best to prove otherwise?