Steve McClaren seemed happy enough about the five day trip to La Manga in Spain after a Newcastle side beat Lillestrom 2-1 yesterday afternoon in what turned out to be a decent test for Newcastle from the Norwegian side, who are preparing for the Tippeligaen, which begins next month.
A number of our players who needed games got them and there was real promise shown in the game by three of our youngsters – Liam Gibson, Jamie Sterry and Rolando Aarons who got the winning goal after coming on as a sub after 66 minutes.
Seydou Doumbia played the full 90 minuets yesterday
This is what the Newcastle manager said after the game:
“In these type of games you are thinking ‘Don’t kick anybody, just play’. But they were aggressive so we had to be on our toes.” “In the end we played to the conditions better in the second half and got the win.”
“We said before the game against Lillestrom it was going to be tough. We knew they’d have energy and attitude.” “The conditions were very difficult to play in and we had to compete.”
“Everything is leading up to the Stoke game.”
It was nice to get the win yesterday in the friendly, but it’s nothing more than that and the only games that matter now are the 12 remaining league games – and we must get ourselves out of trouble – the sooner the better.
The Stoke City game will be huge for Newcastle after the disgraceful showing at Chelsea – and the lads have to prove they can compete with other Premier League teams away from home.
Our pathetic record of only three results (other than defeats) in 13 games away from home – two wins and a draw – show just how weak the mental strength of this squad of players really is.
That’s not good when you are fighting against relegation when courage and guts are major ingredients that can save us.
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
Jib
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Comment #1I think we’ll end up on 40 points with 2 games to go , those being home to Spurs and Man City.
They should be vying for the title , could be an opportunity for some payback time.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:13 PM
Comment #2What conditions, was it windy or excessively hot, I couldn’t see any blizzards and the grass didnt look too long, was the Norweigan crowd hostile, please be more specific Stevo.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:14 PM
Comment #3I hope your not as wrong as you are about everything else Jib!
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:28 PM
Comment #4As the previous theme was GKs, it was Butland who prevented us beating them at home.
Hope he has a stinker this time.
toon kk
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:38 PM
Comment #5Jib
We’ll be lucky to reach 40 points in the championship next season