Steve McClaren

[Guest Gino14]

Chelsea's second team would be something like: Begovic, Ake, Zouma, Aina, Clarke Salter, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Cuadrado, Falcao, Remy

 

It's debatable whether they'd do other things in an actual situation, have more experience out of position, or a few others might be unavailable or available for a second team.  That team would probably be too defensively weak to beat most premier league teams.  In terms of depth though Chelsea have lots of talent generally.  When you can pick between Costa, Remy and Falcao up front, it's just an embarrassment of riches really.

[Disco]

I think virtually all managers dislike the format of the Europa League. I can't blame them too much.

 

Almost every manager says it, I can't see what the big deal is. You clearly have much less time to prepare.

 

We're now seeing club sides from the likes of Andorra and Gibraltar getting involved. It's ridiculous.

 

The overblown first part is designed as a pay day for smaller clubs. If you get through that, you're joined by teams from the Champions League who usually end up knocking you out.

 

Given how competitive the Premiership is, there's no way you can travel to and from some (often distant) European venue for a Thursday evening game and be in the same shape on Sunday as a team that's had a free week.

 

It's not so noticeable with Champions League teams, because they're usually significantly better than the teams they play at the weekend. For the likes of us, it's a problem.

 

Aye, thankfully for Sevilla, La Liga is an absolute piece of piss so they didn't suffer at all.

[ponsaelius]

We're now seeing club sides from the likes of Andorra and Gibraltar getting involved. It's ridiculous.

 

 

1. The European Cup and UEFA Cup has always had teams from all countries who had functioning leagues.

2. They play each other in qualifiers, 2-3 rounds before English teams have to join (unless they are in via fair play wildcard).

 

I mean, the rest of the post was also terrible, but this was notably bad.

[Cronky]

We're now seeing club sides from the likes of Andorra and Gibraltar getting involved. It's ridiculous.

 

 

1. The European Cup and UEFA Cup has always had teams from all countries who had functioning leagues.

2. They play each other in qualifiers, 2-3 rounds before English teams have to join (unless they are in via fair play wildcard).

 

I mean, the rest of the post was also terrible, but this was notably bad.

 

Tell me about all the other terrible things I said. I value your expert feedback.

[Wallsendmag]

He's just sent me another email.

[r0cafella]

He's just sent me another email.

Throw it up

[Wallsendmag]

It’s great to be writing to you again with the season now upon us.

 

I’m absolutely delighted the Premier League is back. When you’re involved in the best league in the world, you feel the edge and anticipation that comes with a big game like ours tomorrow, but as well as that, I’m also very excited and very proud to be going into the season as head coach of Newcastle United.

 

We have already learned a lot during pre-season and that will continue over 90 minutes tomorrow against strong opposition. When you’re new to a club, you are working with your team for the first time in a league environment and it’s a very different type of pressure and intensity to pre-season. Whatever happens, we won’t be too carried away or too despondent in the dressing room.

 

As I’ve mentioned before, a new philosophy and a new style take time to evolve but I hope you will see the character and commitment you expect from the off. Each match over the first ten-game period will give us a real indication of where we are as a club and what we can accomplish this season and from there, we will continue to assess and develop.

 

The players are key to it all and I’m happy with what I see in the dressing room, both in terms of technical ability and attitude. We have a talented squad of players here and in Gini Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović and Chancel Mbemba, we have three top class additions to the first team which we plan to build on across a number of transfer windows. We have been patient so far and that will continue to have its rewards.

 

As well as new players, I was delighted that Fabricio Coloccini renewed his commitment to the club by signing a contract extension this week. I wanted Colo to stay here as captain and importantly, so did he. He has the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates in the dressing room, both as a player and as a leader.

 

Captains can lead teams in different ways. Some are vocal, they can be in players’ faces. Colo leads through his stature and the respect he has right across the club. When he does choose to speak, he has impact. He is usually very perceptive and he speaks with the benefit of tremendous experience.

 

To retain that is great news. It will be very positive for our younger players and will also help our new players.

 

They will all be in for a test tomorrow. Southampton were the surprise team in the Premier League last season and they will give us a tough first game but I’ll be happy to be in the home dugout rather than the away one.

 

I know that with your backing, St. James’ Park can be a wonderful place to be while also being a very, very difficult place to come for visiting clubs and their players. I’ve been in that away dugout and have seen it for myself.

 

We must turn St. James’ Park back into a fortress this season and I hope we can play our part in that by giving you something to sing about and something to rally behind, starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing and hearing you all alongside us.

 

Yours sincerely,

Steve McClaren

Head Coach

 

[r0cafella]

It’s great to be writing to you again with the season now upon us.

 

I’m absolutely delighted the Premier League is back. When you’re involved in the best league in the world, you feel the edge and anticipation that comes with a big game like ours tomorrow, but as well as that, I’m also very excited and very proud to be going into the season as head coach of Newcastle United.

 

We have already learned a lot during pre-season and that will continue over 90 minutes tomorrow against strong opposition. When you’re new to a club, you are working with your team for the first time in a league environment and it’s a very different type of pressure and intensity to pre-season. Whatever happens, we won’t be too carried away or too despondent in the dressing room.

 

As I’ve mentioned before, a new philosophy and a new style take time to evolve but I hope you will see the character and commitment you expect from the off. Each match over the first ten-game period will give us a real indication of where we are as a club and what we can accomplish this season and from there, we will continue to assess and develop.

 

The players are key to it all and I’m happy with what I see in the dressing room, both in terms of technical ability and attitude. We have a talented squad of players here and in Gini Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović and Chancel Mbemba, we have three top class additions to the first team which we plan to build on across a number of transfer windows. We have been patient so far and that will continue to have its rewards.

 

As well as new players, I was delighted that Fabricio Coloccini renewed his commitment to the club by signing a contract extension this week. I wanted Colo to stay here as captain and importantly, so did he. He has the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates in the dressing room, both as a player and as a leader.

 

Captains can lead teams in different ways. Some are vocal, they can be in players’ faces. Colo leads through his stature and the respect he has right across the club. When he does choose to speak, he has impact. He is usually very perceptive and he speaks with the benefit of tremendous experience.

 

To retain that is great news. It will be very positive for our younger players and will also help our new players.

 

They will all be in for a test tomorrow. Southampton were the surprise team in the Premier League last season and they will give us a tough first game but I’ll be happy to be in the home dugout rather than the away one.

 

I know that with your backing, St. James’ Park can be a wonderful place to be while also being a very, very difficult place to come for visiting clubs and their players. I’ve been in that away dugout and have seen it for myself.

 

We must turn St. James’ Park back into a fortress this season and I hope we can play our part in that by giving you something to sing about and something to rally behind, starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing and hearing you all alongside us.

 

Yours sincerely,

Steve McClaren

Head Coach

Cheers for posting that

 

So many words to say not a lot

[Guest JS]

Trying to justify why Colo is a great captain? Aye, thanks Steve, we've seen how great a leader he is for a number of years now, especially when games are thrown

[Nobody]

So sick of hearing how we must make SJP into a fortress, such a boring, meaningless cliché.

[Tooj]

People moan that club don't communicate enough. Club starts communicating and prople still moan.

[Dave]

People moan that club don't communicate enough. Club starts communicating and prople still moan.

 

People always moan about people moaning.

[The College Dropout]

You must play genuine attacking football to make SJP a fortress. #1 rule when playing away in front of a big crowd is to make the crowd restless and/or nervous and avoid excitement.

 

I hope SMC realises that

[Dave]

This week Jose Mourinho said Wijnaldum “could play for Chelsea”, to which McClaren responded: “Yeah? Well, hopefully not for another four or five years.”

 

Better than Pardew.

[Collage]

People moan that club don't communicate enough. Club starts communicating and prople still moan.

 

People always moan about people moaning.

 

Stop moaning.

[Guest chopey]

He never sends me e-mails

[Alberto2005]

Quite like McClaren tbh, if he gets us trying to play good football I'll be happy.

 

Having said that if he continually starts players like Obertan and Williamson I'll lose patience very quickly

[Mole_Toonfan]

Quite like McClaren tbh, if he gets us trying to play good football I'll be happy.

 

Aye that's my only expectation, as long as we play good football i don't really care where we finish. Would also like to see players actually develop instead of stagnating as well. After watching footballers get worse and worse and football that make me want to scrape my eyes out i don't particularly want anything more than that.

[Shak]

Quite like McClaren tbh, if he gets us trying to play good football I'll be happy.

 

Having said that if he continually starts players like Obertan and Williamson I'll lose patience very quickly

 

I know that Pardew and Carver set the bar incredibly low but his quotes since becoming manager have made good reading.

 

After the last few years what this club under Ashley needs is a team that plays open, attacking football and gets involved in some exciting games. After years of Pardew ball we're all starved for some sort of excitement, if I were taking the job now my primary goal would be to get the team playing football that gets the fans out of their seats and enjoying just being at the game and supporting the team.

[Dr Venkman]

This week Jose Mourinho said Wijnaldum “could play for Chelsea”, to which McClaren responded: “Yeah? Well, hopefully not for another four or five years.”

 

Better than Pardew.

 

"It's gonna take big, big money, believe me".

[Gallowgate Toon]

The thing I like about McClaren, at this stage, is that he knows we are/should be a big club. It's nice to hear that mindset, rather than 'we can't afford things, I love Mike'.

[Nobody]

Just not being an absolute arsehole is a massive step up like

[Ikon]

Did anyone see the video clip during a training session when McClaren was hyper excited and kept repeating "This is it, oh yes this is it!"

What do you call it when they play in a square where two players chase in the middle?

[nufc4eva]

Did anyone see the video clip during a training session when McClaren was hyper excited and kept repeating "This is it, oh yes this is it!"

What do you call it when they play in a square where two players chase in the middle?

Square chase ball ?

[Ikon]

I must say that i love hearing the players talk about how they like the way that McClaren and the rest wants them to play, how different it is now compared to before (Yes Pardew! Die!)

Hopefully we'll manage to do it on the pitch as well, slowly but gradually in the right direction.