It will be very interesting to hear what Steve McClaren has to say in his press conference today after one of our most disappointing performances of the season at Goodison Park on Wednesday and that came as the first game after the January window after we brought in four new players for £29M.
Not a good start to the remaining games of the season – to be sure.
Steve McClaren – pondering the six goals conceded in 20 minutes
But in an interview in the Chronicle today what he says supports the notion he still thinks the relegation battle will go down to the very last game of the season.
“In three or four weeks time we must be fit and healthy and have a good attitude and energy.”
“We need everybody in that treatment room off the beds and training again.”
“They need to help us do what we want, which is climb up the league.” “It is a mini-season. It was 15 (well we lost the 15th last game on Wednesday) then you knock it down to 10.”
“Then it’s about the last five. We have to start getting results.”
With the continuing poor results this season we´ve heard it all before from Steve McClaren – give me ten games before you judge – then give me until Christmas – and now it seems it´s give me to the last game of the season.
Who would have thought after we spent £52M last summer on new players – after the fans were generally delighted that Ashley had at last opened the wallet – that we would be struggling with relegation throughout this season?
We thought the turnaround would have come long before now and it has to come soon, with four new players added to the squad for £29M last month.
But it hasn´t come yet and it´s simply not good enough – not good enough by a long way.
We have to hope we can get some wins together and get out of trouble soon and Newcastle have to win the game tomorrow against West Brom – it really is a must win game for us and for Steve McClaren.
If we don´t win tomorrow Mike Ashley may not give Steve McClaren any more games to turn it around – and the owner found out seven years ago that leaving it to 8 games to go before bringing in a new manager (Alan Shearer) was too late.
That´s how important tomorrow´s home game is for Newcastle and for Steve McClaren.
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161 comments so far
G
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Comment #1I think we will lose, but hope Im wrong. SacMac
Rotonda heights
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:16 AM
Comment #2Desperately sad that people say moyes as a replacement. A man who has failed badly in his last 2 jobs and never exactly produced an exciting free flowing brand of football.
Benitez or Sampauli would be sensational, at a push Rodgers is more modern than Moyes, but if only we looked outside Brit managers we might actually find another Pochettino or similar.
Slank
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:17 AM
Comment #3Ed,
It wasn’t that bringing in Alan Shearer with 8 games to go was too late, it was that Alan Shearer was useless.
Toon_Tom
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #4Someone give Sir Alex a bell – see if he fancies a stint at our small team up north!
G
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:22 AM
Comment #5Dyche from Burnley, we need a manager who can bring the best from a bad bunch, not a man intent on signing more showponies.
expatmag
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:22 AM
Comment #6The blog should just accept the fact that this administration will ALWAYS select the most inappropriate candidate available.
catchy in norway
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:22 AM
Comment #7the manager we need is Karanka,, he is the next pochettino
Williamson is Bramble in disguise
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Comment #8Rotonda – exactly, I would rather have someone who’s never managed in this league, and provides something new and different, look to south America or Spain or Italy. Managers tend to have their best periods when they come into the league with fresh ideas and other teams don’t now how to approach them. Why get someone in who hasn’t been particularly good with teams you’re supposed to compete with, or failed in a league below you like macca.. It’s ridiculous you wouldn’t want the town bike for a misses wouldya, you’d like some out of town or foreign bird that’s abit mysterious that no one knows!
Williamson is Bramble in disguise
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:29 AM
Comment #9We need a manager unique to nufc… Not the wolly from down the road!
toon kk
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #10Moyes would be NO different to Wally.
Also any manager who came in would struggle with a squad of players which lack quality in key areas. Although it’s time for Macca to go.
catchy in norway
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:31 AM
Comment #11http://www.nufcblog.com/2014/12/30/sissoko-i-said-all-along-i-was-happy-at-newcastle/
comment 7
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #12We are in real danger of being cut off this weekend if we dont get the win Norwich have a great opportunity against Villa who have their best player suspended
Can see Sunderland getting something against Liverpool as well who cant defend set pieces at all Big Sam will look to take advantage of this no problems
I see there has been chat online about playing young Gibson at left back this week I think its worth a try he plays this position for the youths and will be raring to go Aarons cannot be asked to do it against West Brom
Mag52
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #13If, because of a lack of any alternative due to our injury problems and dire transfer window action, young Aarons is put in at left back again v WBA, let’s not forget he plays where he is told to play.
He is not a left back, and should not be crucified because he doesn’t play like one.
G
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:46 AM
Comment #14Catchy, acknowledged, however, I doubt he would come. Unless he does a Macca, he is a shoe in for the Prem next season. Its looking less likely we can say the same.
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:48 AM
Comment #15Can’t quite believe the mentions of Moyes. Sitting back football isn’t going to win me over in a hurry.
G
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:50 AM
Comment #16@15, totally agree. Wrong man completely, no doubt hes on Charnleys shortlist.
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:52 AM
Comment #17If he’s starting to (maybe only sparked by relegation fears) to spend a bit, then you would have thought that a quality manager would be a priority, but the signings seem to be McClaren’s input as well, so you would think that he isn’t going anywhere.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Comment #18From a few threads back.
How is our injury ridden defence unfortunate. Like the True Geordie says how is anything that happens to us unfortunate, was buying a 20 year old kid with no PL experience and expecting him to be a 15 goal a season striker unfortunate. Was adding one 20 year old defender with no PL.experience to one of the consistently worst defences in the division unfortunate. No, it was money driven to the detriment of the team.
hibbitt
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:57 AM
Comment #19notice how they roll the one man who didn’t let us or the team down to make the statement pure PR bullshit they know there on the ropes could get nasty on saturday
Goldmbemba
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Comment #20The thing with our current administration is they are conservative english capitalists. They are sticking with an english manager because they feel they can understand him. A foreigner would be too much of an unknown, someone they might not feel they can trust or control.
Amazing to think we’ve not had a foreign manager since Gullit.
Whilst other teams are prepared to go for a foreigner with new ideas, we seem doomed to rot under the flag of good old blighty sink or swim.
lesh
Feb 5, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Comment #21Rotonda
In our state at the moment we need someone in who’s got a reputation as a quick-fixer, a turnaround manager to help us avoid relegation. We can’t afford to look for a manager who’ll need time to bed in.
When, hopefully, the season’s safely over, we should be looking for a manager to drive the Club forward – leaving that manager to handle team and recruitment affairs.
But and in any event, Ashley needs to find a credible football headhunter to recruit the managers we need short and longer term. Charnley has proved to be sadly lacking in most MD skills and his role needs to be redefined along with Carr’s.
If we survive, Ashley must surely have learned that running a football club is not like running an SD outlet.
Ian Toon
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Comment #22Slank
Outstanding players rarely make good managers. However, it’s a massive risk for anyone contemplating taking over at this time other than as a means of a rich reward over a limited period. The reputation risk is sufficient to deter the likes of Moyes and Rodgers. You only need to consider Shearer’s standing as a potential manager anywhere else. The alternative to Macca regrettably under Ashley is a failed washed out like JFK or Carver. Or a wheeler dealer like Harry.
I prefer the alternative to all of the above which is 3 points tomorrow and the squad buying into the rescue our season programme thereafter. We have only won 5 times in the PL and need to at least match that for the remainder of the season. Why shouldn’t we get underway tomorrow. Winning becomes a habit. We achieved 40% of our points in a single month of November last season. Keep the faith.
stuart no9
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Comment #23typical newcastle season . everyone at the club – cool calm and collected . In the bottom 3, no panic we have 20 games left w’ll be fine . 15 games left – bottom 3, it will come , we only need that one win to kick start o0ur season, 10 games left, were playing some great stuff , just cant seem to get the ball in the net- ive got an honest set of players who will give everything theve got 5 games left -we need to the crowd to get behind us here we need 50000 of these great fans to help us over the line, 3 games left -we are in a relagation battle , the crowd need to stick with us its going to the wire. weve played some great stuff the the new lads have adapted we need to win the last game of the season to stay up its as simple as that , we are going to give it every thing and i know once we kick off these tremendous fans , i know i keep saying it but these fans are without doubt the best in the world we want to do it for them they have been fantastic , wonderful , phenomenal. who have supported us all the way , these unuque set of fans — ok you get my drift, coz this is where the prase starts coming thick and thin now how great we are , one more push on saturday with these great fans behind us , but its going to the wire . 4.45 sunday afternoon — lucky ba”’ards. post match interview — weve made mistakes but we learn from them , yeah yeah yeah, see you next season chaps.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Comment #24Mag52,
All jokes aside it has to be the most under qualified board in top flight football anywhere in the world.
hibbitt
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Comment #25catchy in norway
sorry mate not a hope of Karanka leaving boro for us….. there on the up with one of best chairman a manager could work for why would he even consider it at the moment
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #26There aren’t any failed washed out managers with a CV like Mclarens left. Like our goal difference his CV is really good if you take out all the shitty bits.
Jib
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #27West Brom at home is by no means the last chance saloon as many on here are stating.
Injuries aside , ourselves and Bournemouth are in the best situation of the bottom 6 or 7 teams with new players who will gel and get better as the second half of the season progresses.
Aston Villa down.
Fat Sam thinks they can draw their way to survival nicking the odd flukey win.They have only spent real money on flaky defenders and a Tunisian creative midfielder with a really dodgy temperament.
Sunlun down.
Swansea have had the new manager feel good factor evaporate already after a good start with an away win against Everton , they should have stuck with Garry Monk.
Bournemouth are starting to feel the strain and running out of steam.However they have made some decent signings this window.
Norwich also made some half decent signings but too little too late I fear.
West Brom are Sunlun mark2 but with Pulis in a better situation (10 points) than Allardyce
Although Palace are at this moment in time above Chelsea they won’t be for long. We know what it’s like to have Pardew managing a team in freefall.
I think by Easter we’ll have pulled clear along with Bournemouth and WBA and 18th will be between , Swansea and Norwich with Palace outsiders.
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Comment #28The empty rhetoric that blows around St. James’ Park wears thin on the mind.
Asking the fans to make the difference, predicting that survival will go down to the last game of the season and no doubt suggesting that the players need more sunshine and vitamin C is the last desperate throws of desperation by McLaren et al.
It’s blindingly obvious that a strong start to any season by any club in any league is a strong defence ( ha ) against later loss of form and future proofs the position against relegation battles.
How the club can set “targets” of 10th in the League is beyond comprehension – that is so defeatist from the start – in any sport you play every time to win not to be mediocre.
The whole shamble reeks of some incompetent management reference book ” How not to win and be thankful for anything that you get” co-Authors John Carver and Steve McLaren.
The people reading it are devoid of passion, competency and anything resembling good judgement.
It boils my p!ss and I’m a moderate .
Not winning on Saturday is not an option McLaren .
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Comment #29He actually warned us at the start of the season with his like a car crash waiting to happen, Charnley and Moncur just watching it slowly roll down the hill waiting to be told to put the hand brake on. As a board member, they now have to sneak behind Mclarens back to discuss his future. Here’s £50 Schteve, take this Mrs out instead of coming to the meeting, oh it’s not important this one, just discussing upping the body searches on the canteen staff.
mactoon
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Comment #30Ashley doesn’t have a history of sacking managers and I don’t think he will start after allowing McClaren and the rest of the board to spend over £80 million
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:14 AM
Comment #31He was set a target of eighth, he’s not going to reach it so sack him now, or was it not really the target!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Comment #32@hibbitt
Yeah I have wondered how long its going to take before the atmosphere turns sour at the home games Mclaren has been backed by the fans all season
I think if we lose against West Brom that will be it I feel the fans will have had enough
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Comment #33I never had faith in a sacked Championship manager who wanted to be as far away from the job as he could get in the first place, I have absolutely zilch now.
Mister Tuff
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Comment #34This season has been excuse after excuse after excuse with the never achievable manyana promise thrown in, in order to get the stay of execution.
When manyana never comes, introduce fans into the equation.
We have the best fans, we need the fans blah blah blah – this PR job worked last season and kept any anti protests to a minimum.
Will Geordie be tricked again this season.
These folk do not give a damn about the fans throughout the season – but big them up when the PR machine starts to roll.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Comment #35Tuff,
Mañana
toon kk
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #36Our headless chickens players can’t and never could handle pace and pressure.
I honestly can’t see us staying up what’s suddenly going to change? We’ve been a poor side for a long time with a loosing attitude.
Where’s our wins going to come from? Let’s hope Doumbia can score or we have no chance.
Ian Toon
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #37Jib- When the going gets tough the tough get going. It is a time for a clinical measured approach and not a rant from Trus Geordie. He’s great when things are going well but I’ve found rarely helpful when we’re struggling and then he simply plays to the gallery. A great lowest common denominator. I hope Macca isn’t sleeping well because the toon army certainly aren’t. I was not at the Everton game but Elliot made a special effort to stop and talk to fans who made the trip to watch that rubbish.
We might well have to beat the mackems and Norwich. I take your point on Palace but they have won twice in the cup.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #38If we don’t win mañana he has to go, I’d sack him anyway!
banjax
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Comment #39Ashley must be ready and have contingencies in place regardless of the result against WBA because if he is dumb enough not to realise by now that we need a new manager to galvanise what is now, a decent squad who are not motivated to play for Steve McLaren. It was McLaren who said judge me after 10 games, well he has had a lot more time than that and £80m of new players to boot and still the same results. This situation alone should tell Ashley where the problem with performance is coming from – the manager. There are plenty of games left after WBA for a top quality manager to get us out of trouble but only if Ashley acts decisively and acts now !
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 5, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Comment #40Jail
The True Geordie puts it very well. But was he saying that at the start of the season? Fair play if he was. It’s always easy to be wise after the event.
I can’t believe so many fans were happy with this window when we signed no defenders. That’s after the summer when we only added one youngster to a shit defence. They were happy then too. Absolutely incredible.