It wasn’t exactly a popular appointment at Newcastle to hire Steve McClaren as manager and it looked more like Steve was more than willing to come in and manage under all the restrictions the Newcastle manager (or head coach) has placed on him because of the way the club is run under owner Mike Ashley.
It as also surprising that Newcastle still went after McClaren in June after he was apparently the first choice in January after Alan Pardew left – but he had just been fired by Championship club Derby County.
Steve McClaren – things not going well
How many other Premier League clubs would have done that?
None.
The Times chief football writer Henry Winter has written in the Sunday Supplement that Steve McClaren is not suited to be manager of such an iconic club as Newcastle United.
And Henry thinks McClaren is less than convincing in his TV interviews after the games.
What we don’t like seeing is Steve with his head in hands on the touchline – what message does that send to his players?
Certainly not a manager in control of things.
This is what Winter has written today:
“He has the presence and aurora to be a No 2, we saw that at Manchester United,” “But I just don’t think for a club of that stature and emotional identity with the fans that he has the stature to be manager.”
“You hear him criticising the players and speaking afterwards and he is not convincing – the greatest managers are at their most impressive and most quotable in defeat.”
“We saw with England that when the heat was on he couldn’t deal with it. Man management is key, I don’t think McClaren has that. The dressing room has individuals who need bringing into line.”
“Coloccini should be leading the dressing room,” “He should be saying ‘whatever we think about McClaren, we have a duty to the people who pay us good money and to the Newcastle fans, who give everything each week to have pride in the team’.”
“They are not doing it. I would look at Coloccini as much as McClaren.”
Coloccini is not the appropriate captain to have at the club and if Steve wants to fix problems he should take the captaincy away from the Argentine this week.
And against Liverpool at home next Sunday he has to make some changes in the starting line-up such as starting Kevin Mbabu at left back in place of Paul Dummett, who has struggled in the last three games.
Surely we have players who can play better and with more pride and passion than the eleven who started the game yesterday.
Steve cannot suffer many more defeats before we think Mike Ashley might have to ask.
But if Steve is fired will he leave the decision for who to appoint as the new manager to Lee Charnley who has hired John Carver and Steve – who have both been disastrous appointments?
Newcastle can still recover this season – but there is not much leeway – and the club needs to start doing the things right for a change.
Comments welcome.
130 comments so far
toonking
Nov 29, 2015 at 3:46 PM
Comment #41ibitza 28
nice point
I sometimes describe the running and ownership of a general shop owning buissess totally opposite to that of a footballing buissness.
The fans of the shopping world generally like cheap bargains and can try an item before it’s bought. the general population will have a greater number below the average income that above average and top quality goods will be generally too expensive and whilst the demand for jobs makes it easier to give people cheap wages like 0 hour contracts.
In the footballing world each and every one of those are total opposite. fans of the footballing world like the players who’ll require larger transfers prices and bigger wage bills. Footballers will be bought before being tried and all these increasing TV deals allow players to demand bigger wages and if a team doesn’t give him them they’ll risk losing him.
Ibizatoon
Nov 29, 2015 at 3:51 PM
Comment #42Ron…I did say “cares too much”. I’m sure he’d prefer to be in the PL. Rather than focus on what he thought would be enough for the summer, what did he, or those he employs, do when we were facing relegation in the face last year? Nothing, except blame and emotionally blackmail the fans.
£50m had to be spent for many reasons. The squad clearly needed money spending, the whole footballing world knew we had a stockpile of cash and he needed to try and convince fans this was a new day at NUFC. People priase the clubs work over the summer, i still think they did the bare minimum that was required…it still wasn’t enough, as they didn’t actually address the issues.
Tads…It’s also worth remembering that the ‘board’ were happy with what Pardew had achhieved and we’re surprised he left.
What problem?
Oldboy…A better manager, will have higher ambitions and will question the clubs plan to achieve them. It can’t be financial, as you say, what we’d pay in higher wages should be made up by better league placing.
It’s funny how money goes out the window when it’s a question of someone stirring the pot.
Hatem? Barton? However, if you have someone who lacks ability, but is willing to play the game, say like Obertan, then there is a place within the club.
Decisions are not made for sporting reasons.
Ron Knee
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Comment #43Ibiza/tads
The Bare Minimum rules at SJP. We all know that.
Ashley had a fright last summer, hence the TV PR stunt and more money than usual spent on new players. Few believed his talk about ‘making our own luck’.
All he wants is mid-table mediocrity in the PL for the minimum outlay.
toonking
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:07 PM
Comment #44TADS
i’m a bit puzzled when you say macs run is on par with pardew in 2014.
it as in the full year 2014?
He definately had a better run in the first half of last season than mac has had this season we’d have been relegated if you put macs current run along side that of charver.
2012/13 was the one i’d put on par with the current mac run and suprisingly we decided to keep hold of him all that season and relied upon panic buys how he wasn’t sacked that season i don’t know and not know that just makes it all the more worrying weather or not this wolly will be sacked.
Ibizatoon
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:08 PM
Comment #45Ron…What was it that gave him a fright though? Pending relegation or that fans were starting to find a unified voice?
We’d been staring at relegation for a while, and at the time of the interview, there was nothing Ashley could do.
It was a PR exercise to rein in fans, nothing to do with relegation, imo.
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:09 PM
Comment #46Ron
Unfortunately for Cashley there’s no such thing as minimum outlay any more due to the new TV deal
Spend or go down, it’s that simple now
Ibiza
And what achievements Pardew made! He’s an absolute legend here now……..well that’s what Pardew will tell you anyway
solano38
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:09 PM
Comment #47If McClaren isn’t sacked by tomorrow, that means he’ll be given the next two games (which have got defeat written all over them). He should then be sacked. If not, he’ll be given to after the transfer window, by which time we’ll be definitively screwed.
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Comment #48Toonking
The whole of 2014
lochinvar
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Comment #49Just watched the British Davies Cup Team and Andy Murray win with passion.
I saw the Ryder Cup team win with passion.
Lewis Hamilton drives with passion.
The passion has gone at NUFC
SJP has been franchised
The strip has been cheapened and Wonga’d
The fans are on sedatitives.
Was Ashley at the Training ground today – don’t be daft.
He should be – the players wages should be docked and given to local charities for Christmas.
McLaren should be shown the Way Out.
Storm the Bastille otherwise nothing changes.
Ibizatoon
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Comment #50Tads…But it sadly isn’t just Pardew…
And that is the problem.
Too many have simply accepted Ashleys ways and seem resigned to making the best of what we’ve got. Why?
Only one person wants people to think Ashley is impenetrable, and that’s the man himself.
Anyway, I’m about to finish my cycle and am starting to bore myself, so can only imagine what others think.
Sun’s out, and so am I 🙂
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:16 PM
Comment #51“It’s not about systems. It’s not about tactics. It’s about attitude.”
Steve McClaren. Premier League manager. 28th November 2015.
Inspirational Buck passing right there Schteveo
hibbitt
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:21 PM
Comment #52lochinvar my mate recons ashleys lot puts sedative in the beer that why the crowds so quiet …..make’s you think with some of the zombies that seat round me
lesh
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Comment #53Jail
I used to work in a place where some of the decisions were baffling to day the least.
Like you, I used to say that it’s though the powers that be had considered situations and best options – then went for the worst!
So, as Ashley and his cronies at SJP are making such poor decisions, it would appear that there’s a school of management which encourages that arse-first philosophy!
Which business school is that I wonder? Harvard, Yale, Cranfield or the South Hylton Primary!
Slank
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:28 PM
Comment #54Toonarmydownsouth @ 35
We are in a relegation fight. It’s what many pundits had predicted but which many fans (myself included) had discounted in part due to the £50 million spent on transfers and the new coaching team. Who now thinks that Ian Cathro is still the dogs gonades ?
The often mentioned mantra from last season was that we would start winning games once he stopped playing Williamson, Saylor, Ameobi, Rivière, Obertan, Gouffran and Cabella. Well they no longer play apart from Gouffran’s fleeting appearances.
It was also said that buying international class players would strengthen the team and we would start winning games. Few if any questioned the credentials of Mitrovic, Wijnaldum and Mbemba. Fans did question Thauvan’s appointment but he has hardly featured so can’t really be blamed for the recent performances.
The players we wanted rid of were rid of. The coaching staff we wanted removed were removed. The players we wanted bought were bought. So where do we go now ?
catchy in norway
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:33 PM
Comment #55i still think he is a good coach,, alas though the players have seemed to give up, and for this mac should go, then ship sissoko and colo out now,, both are clowns
andrew84
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:33 PM
Comment #56As far as I see it, the very first thing that needs to change is the captaincy.
If Coloccini retains the armband for the Liverpool game (let alone makes the starting 11), that will tell you all you need to know about McClaren.
Just my opinion like.
Ron Knee
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Comment #57Slank
But we didn’t get rid of Coloccini. Who wanted to keep him?
andrew84
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:35 PM
Comment #58Ron Knee
That’d be Mike Ashley. His ‘plus 1’ at dinner parties.
Slank
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:36 PM
Comment #59Ron @ 57
True but life is not perfect !
lesh
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:36 PM
Comment #60Tads
Sacking McClaren’d be in Charnley’s remit as McC reports to him.
But, sacking Penfold’d be Ashley’s call but that ain’t gonna happen – too much face lost.
However, if Ashley had any sense, he’d be lining up a new and football savvy MD and appoint Charnley to a different role such as Director of Special Projects – the euphemistic title for a role with no responsibility!
hibbitt
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:37 PM
Comment #61slank you missed the biggest problems off your list….COLOCCINI still being at the club still being captain still being on the pitch in a black & white shirt never should have got a new contract
Klatoon
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:37 PM
Comment #62forget training, extra gym/weights sessions for the squad, it was ridiculous how easily and often our players were brushed off yesterday. Only Mitro and Lascelles can stand their ground…dont get me started on Sissoko, built like a tank with a pea for heart
Ron Knee
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:39 PM
Comment #63Slank
I know that. I’m a Newcastle supporter!
Slank
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:41 PM
Comment #64Hibbitt @ 61
As I said to Ron, life is not perfect.
Can the inclusion of one player in a team cause the team to play so badly so frequently ?
andrew84
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:48 PM
Comment #65Slank
Yes I think he can, if that one player is the captain. The player that the other 10 men should respect and look up to, and take instructions from.
Coloccini never says a word.
hibbitt
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:48 PM
Comment #66slank………..he’s not just one player he’s the club captain so yes it can ………no good having a mute coward as a leader no good at all
Ibizatoon
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Comment #67Sun’s gone in…inconsiderate so and so.
Slank…What is it you’re suggesting? That the fans have got what they want?
“The often mentioned mantra” was mentioned often by a few.
“Mitrovic, Wijnaldum and Mbemba” have been a few of the better things about this season, but all 3 are young and adapting to a new league. Too little to make an impact on what was already a finished squad.
“The coaching staff we wanted removed were removed.” Yes, but they weren’t replaced with what the fans wanted, so what’s the point you’re making?
“So where do we go now?” For starters the club could stop half arsing the things they do. They could add leadership from top to bottom, rather than dismantle it.
We don’t have leadership, anyone to pull it all together. That wasn’t addressed in the summer and is a fundamental issue.
The inclusion of one player has sent out the message that really, nothing has changed. So, yes, it can make a difference. Quite clearly.
nufconceandfuturekings
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Comment #68But it’s not just about Steve McClaren, is it? Yes, naive choice by the club but, then, many, many strange choices emanate from Newcastle United. We all know who needs to go first. Charnley and Carr must be held responsible. Sacking McClaren – which is likely, of course – will be akin to the rat catcher coming in to tackle an infestation by getting rid of one rat. Apologies for that particular analogy to Steve [nothing against the guy] and to rats [got everything against Charnley and Carr]. Also, bargain basement business ethos does not a successful football club make. And now the chickens are settling in to roost. I could go on. You’ll be relieved I will not. So, instead, once sentence. We’re down.
SPRINGY
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:56 PM
Comment #69ron knee
you asked who wanted to keep colo?…the answer is the players…coz they have it so easy with him as captain
Ron Knee
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:56 PM
Comment #70nufconce
This is the far, far future you’re referring to, I assume!
sparky55
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:56 PM
Comment #71Stupid thing is…if any manager on the planet had say 5 games to save his job with our squad…not one of them would have picked coloccini.
Maclaren must know his job is on the line so why on earth is he picking him
it doesn’t make any sense
lochinvar
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:58 PM
Comment #72Hibbit and others
So right
If you have a weak link in any team you can try to coach, protect and grow that link to be stronger.
But if that link is meant to be the leader and doesn’t lead by example and doesn’t encourage those around them then who is going to follow.
yorkymag
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:59 PM
Comment #73I am hearing rumours that only 7 players turned up for training today
The rest refused to go in anyone confirm this
nufconceandfuturekings
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Comment #74Ron Knee; no, that’s far, far, far, far, far, far future, my friend!!
Slank
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Comment #75Ibiza @ 67
What I’m saying is that there have been wholesale changes much of which fully supported by the fans but on the field of play little seems to have changed.
The exceptions to the changes wanted by the fans were Colocinni and Ashley. Carr and Charnley didn’t get a lot of stick especially when they were in the process of buying players. McClaren got a mixed reception. Cathro was almost universally welcomed.
So I say again, where do we go from here ?
hibbitt
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Comment #76sparky55……other then he has a contract that says if he’s fit he has to play would coloccini’s best mate charnley be daft enough to do that of course he could
Lindisfarne
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Comment #77http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/11/club-publish-photo-to-prove-7-newcastle-players-have-turned-up-for-training-on-sunday/
Lindisfarne
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:05 PM
Comment #78https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/670918894664724480/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Ketsbaia9
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:06 PM
Comment #79If we still had Raylor, we’d be higher up the table.
SPRINGY
Nov 29, 2015 at 5:07 PM
Comment #80the fact colo has’nt been dropped could be that the players are to close/friendly to him and dropping him would make the players get a lip on….stupid i no!…but what other reason?…. unless the players who can come in for him are so bad he’s the best option!….colo gettin injured could be the best option to force something to happen without the players gettin a lip on if that is the case….not wishing any player ill but it would change things