Steve McClaren

[mrmojorisin75]

Like I said after the game, I think he's trying to simply build a coherent unit at the moment. He's going for something functional and I honestly don't think that's a bad way to attack it, given that 99% of the team is the same team that lost 8 on the trot recently. We're riddled with a losing mentality that has suffered from negative, reactionary tactics fitted to contain the opposition every week - regardless of who it is. There was never, aside from 11/12, something you could call 'our way' under Pardew. Ever since we lost 4-0 at Wigan, the team has been set up with each individual opposition in mind - it's going to take time to establish our own personality.

 

If we're going to establish that personality, we need to go back to basics first. Morale is a factor too, so avoiding incoming hammerings like at the weekend is important, hence why I didn't have any real problems with the 4140.

 

i don't agree with a lot of this post, in that i agree it's probably what mclaren is trying to do but his execution is balls atm if we're being honest

 

worst defence in the league (give or take) over 2-3 seasons, his answer to that is to put 2 players in who don't protect enough and hand his broken captain a contract extension

 

i could forgive the lack of attention at the back if we were attacking well and damaging teams, the old score one more than them bullshit, but we're not doing that either while he keeps perez, aarons and mitrovic on the bench and plays obertan and sissoko as a wide attacker

 

i know it's only been two games but he's getting a boat load of fundamentals wrong imo just now

[biggs]

Like I said after the game, I think he's trying to simply build a coherent unit at the moment. He's going for something functional and I honestly don't think that's a bad way to attack it, given that 99% of the team is the same team that lost 8 on the trot recently. We're riddled with a losing mentality that has suffered from negative, reactionary tactics fitted to contain the opposition every week - regardless of who it is. There was never, aside from 11/12, something you could call 'our way' under Pardew. Ever since we lost 4-0 at Wigan, the team has been set up with each individual opposition in mind - it's going to take time to establish our own personality.

 

If we're going to establish that personality, we need to go back to basics first. Morale is a factor too, so avoiding incoming hammerings like at the weekend is important, hence why I didn't have any real problems with the 4140.

 

i don't agree with a lot of this post, in that i agree it's probably what mclaren is trying to do but his execution is balls atm if we're being honest

 

worst defence in the league (give or take) over 2-3 seasons, his answer to that is to put 2 players in who don't protect enough and hand his broken captain a contract extension

 

i could forgive the lack of attention at the back if we were attacking well and damaging teams, the old score one more than them bullshit, but we're not doing that either while he keeps perez, aarons and mitrovic on the bench and plays obertan and sissoko as a wide attacker

 

i know it's only been two games but he's getting a boat load of fundamentals wrong imo just now

tend to agree that we are simply a continuation from last season with one or two new faces but a losing mentality and cannot see any fundimental change in our play or tactics even with a new coaching staff ,sadly still shit players letting us down.

[Away Toon]

There are two problems, the players he's not picking and then those that he is. Colo should never have been given a new contract and should never be starting. Neither should Haidara though until Dummett is fit there isnt really any other option. Ditto Anita, Colback, Obertan and Cisse. That's a lot of pretty useless players he doesn't need to start.

 

The two outstanding players we potentially have in the squad Aaron's and Ayose don't start, neither does Mitrovic

 

Not impressed so far.

[Mick]

Keegan took 8 games to turn us around after Allardyce without a pre-season to work with the players or any new players to give the squad a lift.  I'll give McClaren more time as he is trying to change the way we play, we've seen that already.

 

He's not getting a blank cheque and neither should he and he can still be judged now but shouldn't be written off.  And for him having 99% of the same team that lost 8 games in a row.  My maths tells me differently as he could easily be playing 3 out of 11 players who have joined us in the summer and that could go up to 4 out of 11 before we play Man U.  If he choses not to pick the new lads then that's his problem and it can hardly be used as a justification for anything, it's his choice.

[merlin]

Much of what HTT says is correct, but right now we have no alternative than to give McClaren several more games to get a team sorted out and that means a team capable of at least winning most of its home games and being able to collect some points away from home.

The whole problem is that we were NEVER going to get a top manager under Ashley and whilst he remains as owner we never will because none of them would accept the job under the lousy conditions they have to work under, i.e. beholden to the likes of Penfold(now he really IS out of his depth) to organize pre-season(which is done to suit Ashley's marketing plans)and sign quality players in the positions we need in time to get them into a pattern before a season starts...

NUFC is undoubtedly the biggest club McClaren has had to manage and there is little doubt that, under a more ambitious and focussed owner, he wouldn't be manager now but we are stuck with him and he does at least deserve 10 games to sort things out ; having said that, the signs are not great because he has stuck with players who are clearly either not good enough(Obertan etc)or players that are past their best(Colo). He has very few options, but the likes of Aarons, Perez and Mitrovic should be at least given a decent spell to show what they can do because we are weak in the positions they play in right now.

The team lacks a playmaker(like Cabaye)and a decent CB but at least one of these positions is NOT going to be rectified before January at the earliest. I hope Thauvin improves wing service, but I am a bit wary that he may turn out to be another Cabella and lightweight for the PL  - if so, the money will have been wasted as it could have been spent on one of the positions we are weaker in.

McClaren's forte in the past seems to have been as a decent coach - if so, he will need to use every bit of that experience to get the best from what he has to work with because we are clearly NOT going to get signings that will address the major problems in the side.

If the team is showing no improvement by January, then questions about his managerial capabilities should and will be asked but he has an unenviable task which not many others in his profession would either relish or accept.

 

The biggest question should be more about how long Ashley will hang on to the club if we look like being dragged into a relegation battle again...Rangers are already showing signs of storming the Scottish Championship and he may see their possible promotion back to the SPL as a better vehicle for his European marketing although he may wait until they actually qualify for the CL in a year or 2  - not a happy prospect for NUFC fans....

[Marmoset]

Would a CL Rangers actually be any significantly better for SD marketing in Europe than a PL Newcastle?

 

It won't be a breeze to get them to the group stages regularly and even then it's only 6 games, whereas I imagine the Premier League is shown in most European countries anyway, and a lot of the rest of the football watching world.

[Wallsendmag]

There are two problems, the players he's not picking and then those that he is. Colo should never have been given a new contract and should never be starting. Neither should Haidara though until Dummett is fit there isnt really any other option. Ditto Anita, Colback, Obertan and Cisse. That's a lot of pretty useless players he doesn't need to start.

 

The two outstanding players we potentially have in the squad Aaron's and Ayose don't start, neither does Mitrovic

 

Not impressed so far.

 

Pretty much my feelings on the subject.

[mrmojorisin75]

There are two problems, the players he's not picking and then those that he is. Colo should never have been given a new contract and should never be starting. Neither should Haidara though until Dummett is fit there isnt really any other option. Ditto Anita, Colback, Obertan and Cisse. That's a lot of pretty useless players he doesn't need to start.

 

The two outstanding players we potentially have in the squad Aaron's and Ayose don't start, neither does Mitrovic

 

Not impressed so far.

 

Pretty much my feelings on the subject.

 

Yep

[ads]

Honestly, writing McClaren off after two games. No wonder we're seen as delusional.

 

I don't think anyone on this board is a particularly big fan of the appointment, but considering he's trying to get us to change our whole approach to the game, that's not something that will happen quickly.

 

Four years of turgid shit under Pardew and Carver, what's the best we can expect this season? HTT's post is horrendous.

[Skeletor]

I have little to no faith in McClaren himself. I have more faith in the coaching staff but if things don't improve after 10 games or so then that will disappear too.

[Collage]

Honestly, writing McClaren off after two games. No wonder we're seen as delusional.

 

I don't think anyone on this board is a particularly big fan of the appointment, but considering he's trying to get us to change our whole approach to the game, that's not something that will happen quickly.

 

Four years of turgid s*** under Pardew and Carver, what's the best we can expect this season? HTT's post is horrendous.

 

[mrmojorisin75]

The majority aren't writing him off mind just pointing out that beyond an apparent, small improvement on how we use the ball he's making some very poor selection and tactical choices. Tactics and selections happen to be big parts of the job even if we did have Pardew as manager 8 months ago.

[Paully]

Far too early to judge but his substitutions have been absolutely baffling!

[STM]

Honestly, writing McClaren off after two games. No wonder we're seen as delusional.

 

I don't think anyone on this board is a particularly big fan of the appointment, but considering he's trying to get us to change our whole approach to the game, that's not something that will happen quickly.

 

Four years of turgid shit under Pardew and Carver, what's the best we can expect this season? HTT's post is horrendous.

 

Got to say, I agree with this. Although I will lay off HTT, as his post isn't made of hatred for McClaren but more despair at the position the club has fallen to.

 

I'm fully behind McClaren, because i believe that is the correct thing to do. He wasn't my first choice but he deserves every chance. I have seen a few encouraging signs too.

 

My expectations;

 

More professionalism

Better football

Trying to win games

Sensible team selections

An attempt at a decent cup run

Finishing 10th or above this season (long term europe)

[Yorkie]

Keegan took 8 games to turn us around after Allardyce without a pre-season to work with the players or any new players to give the squad a lift.  I'll give McClaren more time as he is trying to change the way we play, we've seen that already.

 

He's not getting a blank cheque and neither should he and he can still be judged now but shouldn't be written off.  And for him having 99% of the same team that lost 8 games in a row.  My maths tells me differently as he could easily be playing 3 out of 11 players who have joined us in the summer and that could go up to 4 out of 11 before we play Man U.  If he choses not to pick the new lads then that's his problem and it can hardly be used as a justification for anything, it's his choice.

 

You've taken that bit of my post a bit too literally, like. I'm just pointing out that we've been a losing club for ages and the majority of personnel on the playing staff are still here.

[Elliottman]

Honestly, writing McClaren off after two games. No wonder we're seen as delusional.

 

I don't think anyone on this board is a particularly big fan of the appointment, but considering he's trying to get us to change our whole approach to the game, that's not something that will happen quickly.

 

Four years of turgid s*** under Pardew and Carver, what's the best we can expect this season? HTT's post is horrendous.

 

Spot on.

[Mick]

Keegan took 8 games to turn us around after Allardyce without a pre-season to work with the players or any new players to give the squad a lift.  I'll give McClaren more time as he is trying to change the way we play, we've seen that already.

 

He's not getting a blank cheque and neither should he and he can still be judged now but shouldn't be written off.  And for him having 99% of the same team that lost 8 games in a row.  My maths tells me differently as he could easily be playing 3 out of 11 players who have joined us in the summer and that could go up to 4 out of 11 before we play Man U.  If he choses not to pick the new lads then that's his problem and it can hardly be used as a justification for anything, it's his choice.

 

You've taken that bit of my post a bit too literally, like. I'm just pointing out that we've been a losing club for ages and the majority of personnel on the playing staff are still here.

He definitely needs more time before he's written off but people can still highlight if they think he's done something wrong.

[mozy]

Team selections at the moment are being made on fitness and performances in training/friendlies. If Numberwang is still starting ahead of Aarons/Thauvin (chickens, counting, hatched) in November time then we may have an issue.

[Hanshithispantz]

If people think we're delutional then they don't know the meaning of the word. It's sad that our own fans are falling into that trap though.

 

If you believe McClaren has the capability to turn us around and get us to where we could be and playing decent football then fair enough, I'm not really seeing it in though, and that's not based on 2 games (although the absurdity of his desisions haven't helped.) Pointless putting on a fake smile and pretending otherwise, I think it was a fucking disgusting appointment.

[merlin]

Would a CL Rangers actually be any significantly better for SD marketing in Europe than a PL Newcastle?

 

It won't be a breeze to get them to the group stages regularly and even then it's only 6 games, whereas I imagine the Premier League is shown in most European countries anyway, and a lot of the rest of the football watching world.

In Ashley's world - yes. There is more exposure in the big city areas of both Europe and worldwide when you are in the CL.

NUFC under him are just also-rans in the PL and will remain that way whereas Rangers will almost always qualify for the CL after establishing themselves in the SPL again...don't forget, Ashley was quite happy to send NUFC to NZ for pre-season last year in an attempt to get into...the AUSSIE market ! If he and Charnley knew what they were about they would have arranged friendlies in Oz like Liverpool and Man U did this year...they played in front of capacity crowds and cemented their support in Australia which is a much bigger country.

Then again, with a small squad like ours, pre-season should probably be against clubs like Gateshead & Darlo because we don't have to travel far...!

[AY]

If people think we're delutional then they don't know the meaning of the word. It's sad that our own fans are falling into that trap though.

 

If you believe McClaren has the capability to turn us around and get us to where we could be and playing decent football then fair enough, I'm not really seeing it in though, and that's not based on 2 games (although the absurdity of his desisions haven't helped.) Pointless putting on a fake smile and pretending otherwise, I think it was a f***ing disgusting appointment.

 

It depends. If we think top4 is where we should be then we are delusional.

 

SM still has lot to prove tho

[Unbelievable]

Every man and his dog was whining about his appointment 6 months before he got the gig, and they'd still be whining now if it wasn't for some arbitrary requirement to accept any s**** we're given until they prove what we already know, that they're not good enough.

 

But aye nowt will change under Mike so whatever, I cannot force myself to like it so I may aswell twist on about it.

 

[ujpest doza]

I'm just so exhausted from hating, I simply have to give him time. He might do a shit job - well aware of that possibility, but at a glance he appears to have more of a game plan than Pardew.

Really?

 

I thought his game plan on Saturday just seemed to be to keep the score down.

 

 

[U2]

He tried to play on the counter attack from the start.He then tried to force it by playing with wide quick players after going down to 100 men.  IMO it's a shit tactic, but he definitely had a plan. 

 

Troyes did well against Nice the other day when down to 10 men, but I reckon that was more down to Nice's exuberance than anything Troyes did particularly well.

[Stifler]

He tried to play on the counter attack from the start.He then tried to force it by playing with wide quick players after going down to 100 men.  IMO it's a shit tactic, but he definitely had a plan. 

 

Troyes did well against Nice the other day when down to 10 men, but I reckon that was more down to Nice's exuberance than anything Troyes did particularly well.

We had 100 men against Swansea and still lost, McClaren out!