Steve McClaren thinks Newcastle will only get better as the new signings are integrated into the team – and that should be the case – but hey, the proof of the pudding is always in the eating – so we shall see.
There have been too many statements recently by both players and pundits that remind us too much of our relegation season, when there was just no way that Newcastle team would be relegated – so we have heard it all before.
Steve McClaren – yes – we remember that game too
In the lead up to the game at Chelsea tomorrow this is some of what Steve McClaren has said – and we should point out there are only 13 games to go – not 14 as Steve says once in this piece:
“We have good talent in this squad but we have to get more consistency. Performances like Everton have surprised everyone, we have to eradicate that.”
“With 14 games to go we have to be consistent with our performances. We have fans demanding a performance of character and so do I.”
“This squad is stronger now, it’s far better than it was. We have been in the bottom three, we are kind of used to being around where we are.”
We know we are in battle. We have continue that battle for the next 13 games. You never know what will be needed.”
14 games to go – then 13 games to go – maybe Steve also thinks we have 35 points?
And yes the squad is stronger than it was – no doubt about that – but is the mental strength any stronger than it has been so far this season?
There’s a reason we have a measly 24 points from 25 games this season and we are 4th bottom of the league table and only one point above the relegation zone.
When we were relegated 7 years ago everybody kept saying the Newcastle squad was far too strong to go down.
They were all dead wrong then – so we take with a pinch of salt what people say today.
We need the points and wins are what will do it for us – but really – what the manager and players say in the lead up to the games means absolutely nothing.
We need the win tomorrow at Stamford Bridge and that’s possible if all our players turn up for the game.
Comments welcome.
65 comments so far
sing in the corner
Feb 12, 2016 at 8:36 AM
Comment #1You said it Ed!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 8:53 AM
Comment #2I am glad McC thinks it can only get better, because can it really get much worse!
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:02 AM
Comment #3Adam Johnson finds new line of work
http://www.lifebuzz.com/dirty-mind/13/?p=1&utm_source=sp&utm_medium=AprilOb&utm_campaign=dirty-mind&fp=sp&ljr=txwc2m-8-_zIpBetVe_WgA_eZbIpVxR1q6Kf0FiUtsU%3D&ref=www.getlfbz.com
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Comment #4Mark…do you got something on your mind 😉
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:12 AM
Comment #5Jesper,
Nope, but Adam Johnson does 😀
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Comment #6Mark…touche 😉
Lindisfarne
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:16 AM
Comment #7Guardian:
4) Newcastle need a win on the road
Whenever Newcastle United win a game these days, Steve McClaren appears to not so much sigh, as virtually collapse with exhaustion in relief, the fear of taking this team into some serious trouble and the damage it would do to his already pock-marked reputation etched across his face. They are, of course, in some serious trouble already, a single point above the relegation zone they left last weekend after beating West Bromwich Albion at home, and the pressure on McClaren will have only increased after the money spent on his team in January. That’s the bad news, while the good news is that the spending has at least given McClaren options; last weekend his bench featured Seydou Doumbia, Ayoze Pérez and Henri Saivet, welcome additions to take the pressure off Gini Wijnaldum et al. The thing that would really relax things at Newcastle though, is an improvement in their away form. Their home record is passable (four wins and five draws from 13 games), but on the road they have won only twice (only Aston Villa have a worse away record), and if both of those games were replayed another ten times, they’d probably lose nine. “It just shows, football sometimes can be unexplainable and sometimes during a season you get that,” said McClaren after the first of those wins, a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth in which Newcastle scored from their only real attack and took the points thanks to a heroic performance by Rob Elliot in goal, while their mugging of Tottenham back in December increasingly feels like a mirage. In a normal season it might be a little too much to expect them to improve their away record at Stamford Bridge this weekend, but this is not a normal season, so a victory over Chelsea is not out of the question, and in fact looks increasingly important, to stop their struggles on the road, if they are to stay up. NM
Lindisfarne
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Comment #8Diego Costa has been in stunning form under Guus Hiddink, netting six of his nine league goals under the stewardship of the Dutchman. Against a Newcastle side that struggles to deny the opposition (opportunities).
https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/lse_vte0pumaslycn_shea/Show/Player-Focus-Costa-Rediscovering-his-Best-Form-Under-Hiddink
Wandering Geordie
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #9Graham Carr has been scouting in Brazil recently and has tried to sign Zica.
Wouldn’t it be karma if Johnson were to be locked up in a cell with a Geordie physcopath.
Lindisfarne
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #10Spurs away 2-1 win, formation 4411
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/959671/Live
beermonkey
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:29 AM
Comment #11wandering
how do u know that
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Comment #12Wandering
Locking AJ in with any father of a 14 YO daughter would be enough, in fact anyone with kids. I am not sure I could prevent myself from splitting his heed like a water melon if the chance arose. Horrible little sh1t that he is.
mad-serb
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Comment #13I think this could turn out to be a cracker. The message all week has been about taking the game to Chelsea and doing the things we are doing at home away from home.
I am actually expecting some goals in this one. We have played well away from home against all the big teams and should have won at Arsenal, drew at Manchester and apart from the horror second half at city we played well in that first half.
I think Chelsea might have some problems at the back and are in a similar boat to us. They dropped Cahil for the simple reason that he as Terry together have problems with pacy forwards and balls over the top. For that reason Cahil was replaced with Zouma to help cover Terry. Now Zouma is injured and I guess they are forched to play that combinations again that leaked all that goals.
I think there is goals in this one. 2 – 2 would be my prediction. i believe we will be unchanced apart from maybe colback in for Arons. we will see Doumbia in the second half depending on how things are going to try and exploit there problem against pace.
Wandering Geordie
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Comment #14Should also take the following off the shelves at supermarkets immediately
Johnsons baby oil and Johnsons baby wipes
toon kk
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:46 AM
Comment #15We’ve been playing in the premier league for years with a average squad but we’re in a relegation battle because we are playing without a goal scoring Striker.
hibbitt
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:47 AM
Comment #16jesperfuglsang
where’s Ron ??????
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:50 AM
Comment #17Ed setting McClaren up for the big fall against Chelsea. Let’s be honest, there is a big difference between the squads. Some unfairness has crept in, with regards to judging the quality of the opposition.
Would losing away to Everton, beating West Brom, and losing away to Chelsea, be anything other than the likely results?
I will not be pulling my hair out if Chelsea get a win, on their own ground, with one of the world’s most expensive sides. I do believe Stoke are overrated, anything but stampede football against Stoke would give fair grounds to ask serious questions.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Comment #18Ed “There’s a reason we have a measly 24 points from 25 games this season and we are 4th bottom of the league table and only one point above the relegation zone.”
There certainly is. Pointing the ‘reason’ out would have enriched the article.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Comment #19“And yes the squad is stronger than it was – no doubt about that”
By how much though?
We lost 4 senior players in the summer, Santon & Ben Arfa were let go prior to that. Sammy Ameobi was sent out on loan. < That is your squad reduction.
Now for the additions:
Mitrovic – a 20 year old, known temperament problems that would need to be worked on, no Premier League experience.
Mbemba – 20 year old CB, zero Premier League experience.
Wijnaldum – the only senior addition… we hit the jackpot with his goals and would be lost without them
Thauvin – Cannot truly be mentioned as strengthening the squad whatsoever.
The result – the team with the worst form in the division was strengthened in real terms by a couple of 20 year old rookies and Wijnaldum. The squad lost numbers and experience overall.
The next transfer window – two additions with Premier League experience come in.
Since Shelvey has signed and added creativity to the midfield we have won 2 out of 4 games.
So, in all fairness, since the team has been strengthened to where it is now, we have a 50% win record, with Ed holding the axe over McClaren if he does not beat Chelsea away from home.
Some perspective wouldn't go amiss.
magscar
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:39 AM
Comment #20AncientC
Ed may be but I doubt Ashley is – yet.
As you said earlier the recent results and a defeat tomorrow wouldn’t be outside reasonable expectations. Saying that I think performances also need to enter our thinking and we need one (and goals) tomorrow if only to keep up the good vibe of last week. Hoping for score draw but neither side are predictable at present.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Comment #21magscar – It is not outside the realms of possibility to go to Chelsea and win, just unlikely. I want nothing more than a win, a draw would be great, but I have little expectations.
Chelsea although recently out of form, are in the UEFA top 4 club sides in the world.
hibbitt
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:48 AM
Comment #22if McLaren was going to get the push he would be gone now the board have backed him in the window and now will give him the time he needs …….a good performance / result tomorrow would help but wont change his position he’s here till the end of the season at lest
jayphoto
Feb 12, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Comment #23McClaren should take note of how keegan approached away games… set up the same as home games.
We have one of the worst defences in the league, sitting tight and deep clearly isn’t the way forward and it stops our best player in Gini from being affective.
Not sure how fit doumbia is but hope he gets 20 minutes. Chelsea struggle with pace.
Similarly Townsend vs Ivanovic will be interesting. I’d be tempted to keep Aarons at left back and just have him overlap constantly. Ivanovic gets seriously isolated when teams play 2 attacking players on his side, think it was Swansea that targeted that area to good effect at the start of the season.
No Zouma is a big plus as Chelsea will naturally have to play deeper which gets mitrovic closer to goal. Hiddink will well know that shelve has the ability to find people over the top and in behind.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Comment #24Mikel looks odds on to start for Chelsea. Obi can be sloppy at times, it would be an idea to close down Mikel’s defensive midfield partner and force Mikel to play more with the ball.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Comment #25hibbitt…maybe we have to send an APW for Ron? 🙂
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Comment #26Jay…I totally agree, we have set up our game in way that takes the pressure of the defense. Both when we are in possession and the opposition are in possession.
But one of our other major problems which also comes from our lacking defense, is the inability to play it out from the back and our non attacking ability from our LB position.
jayphoto
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:15 AM
Comment #27who’s nailed on for LB tomorrow? anyone back or Aarons the only choice again?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Comment #28Ancient…there’s 14 games left that’s the reality and be need wins regardless of who we play. That’s the reality for McC!
I get what you are saying about experience or lack there of, but I cannot help thinking you are either simplifying this or giving McC to much credit. He should be doing so much better with what’s he’s got.
For me Leicester is testament to that.
magscar
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Comment #29Jay
Local press have been querying whether Gini should be “rested” and try different formation. I think that would be an over-reaction to the problem which is tactical not simply personnel. Having said that if McClaren had gone with Mitro instead of Perez at Everton and managed to play higher up pitch for longer spells then we would ahve had a better performance for sure and possibly a different result.
He has to find a system away from home that doesn’t make us pushovers but allows us to carry a threat. Gini has to be part of that solution.
jayphoto
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:26 AM
Comment #30@magscar – have to agree, Gini is our best player for me and needs to play. I’m not really convinced with Perez starting games, for me he flatters to deceive often. Always looks far more dangerous coming off the bench!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Comment #31magscar…personally I think you need to change things around at this level. No one should be first pick regardless.
I could see the idea of dropping Gini away st times, but it depends on the game.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Comment #32jesperfuglsang – Yes, we need wins. Realistically, they are not going to come at places like Stamford Bridge.
I wouldn’t expect us to go and beat Juventus, Atletico Madrid, or Borussia Dortmund on their home grounds either.
That is comparable to the size of task the club faces on Saturday.
jayphoto
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Comment #33realistically anything on Saturday is a bonus point wise. I expect to see the team put 100% in and have a go mind.
Stoke away, Bournemouth at home after Chelsea are much more important. Biggest games of the season are Norwich and Villa away games for me.
Willing to bet that McClaren will still be manager even if we go down because ironically he’d probably be one of the better choices to bring us back up
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Comment #34Ancient…Chelsea is not an easy game I agree…especially not away from home. But there are that maybe easy games left!
He should have done so much better to begin with.
Ron Knee
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:45 AM
Comment #35hibbitt/jesper
I’m here!
TroubledToon
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:46 AM
Comment #36Why does Macca always seem to think we have an extra game in hand? I think this is the 2nd or 3rd time he’s done so.
magscar
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Comment #37Jesper
I agree no one should be untouchable ( Sissoko?) but I am not convinced that his relatively poorer performances away are due to his being a “homer” player. His goal stats in Holland suggest different. It is how we set up.
McClaren does have different options now and might find away to get him more involved away from a congested midfield – Townsend and Shelvey may be key here.
Whilst no player should be undroppable even for tactical reasons I think better managers can find away to integrate players to the benefit of the side. It is becoming a real topic for discussion though.
AncientC
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:49 AM
Comment #38jesper – McClaren cannot have many excuses after the Chelsea game. I don’t think the squad got the sufficient additions it needed in the summer, but with Shelvey and Townsend now through the door, McClaren should have enough to make a fist of it.
Off for now. Have a good day one and all.
WWSBRD
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:54 AM
Comment #39Drop Gini bring in Colback and stick Lascelles at LB
magscar
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:56 AM
Comment #40Jay@33
Well Derby did last season and regretted it 🙂
Joking apart there were other factors at play there not least key injuries and our interest.
I remain of the view that if McClaren doesn’t get the away points sorted out Ashley only has the dismissal card left to play to rescue situation ( and will consider it) but it won’t be after tomorrow’s game. Having said that Stoke and Leicester away are tricky as well especially the latter so can he afford to leave it as late as Norwich on 2 April to make up his mind?