“I’m very disappointed and this is a big lesson,” said Steve McClaren.
“These games hurt like mad, but you need them to get the message across and we need a reaction on Saturday.” (BBC Sport).
Steve McClaren stated that Newcastle’s 2-0 West Ham defeat was a “wake up call” after his side, late to The Boleyn Ground which he admirably refused to use as an excuse, slumped to the foot of the Premier League.
In the grand scheme of both the season and his Newcastle career, it will prove a blessing in disguise. Certainly in and around the city, Newcastle were receiving plaudits for spirit, endeavour and good football prior to that result, yet, in the harsh, unforgiving world of the Premier League, only points truly matter.
Two points from the opening 12 was okay considering the hardest Premier League start – which doesn’t let up as Chelsea and Manchester City follow Saturday’s game – yet any honeymoon period of settling is in over.
This baptism of fire will prepare McClaren for the long-term requirements of one of the hardest jobs in football – as has his England experience – yet three points is a must against The Hornets on Saturday.
Now is not the time for panic and good results will come, yet this is what McClaren and Newcastle must do to get the win:
- Go on the Offensive
Newcastle possess some of the best attacking players in the Premier League yet are lining up with six defensive outfield positions. It’s time to attack, score goals and win.
While 4-5-1 with a double pivot proved the perfect game plan away to Manchester United, against teams like West Ham – whose jugular was hit at home by Leicester and Bournemouth – Newcastle have to go for it.
Newcastle have a wealth of attacking options in Papiss Cissé, Aleksandar Mitrović, Florian Thauvin, Moussa Sissoko, Siem de Jong, Ayoze Pérez, Gabriel Obertan and Rolando Aarons. Furthermore, substitutions allow them to start with a few more attacking threats over the course of a game until teams are broken down.
Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford last Saturday against Liverpool, for example, realised Memphis Depay was getting no change out of Nathaniel Clyne so he put on Ashley Young at half-time. United then scored from Young’s very first attack at the full-back and consequently won the game.
McClaren must utilise the rich attacking options available to him. A return to the Sir Bobby Robson triple substitution of old games like the Arsenal 0-1 down to ten-men and nothing to lose also wouldn’t go amiss.
Have a go – it might pay off.
- Play a Defensive Midfield Shield
Newcastle rarely win a football match when Vurnon Anita plays: his win percentage has been poor, showcasing just four wins in the 21 games he played last season. Dimitri Payet really had the freedom of The Boleyn Ground to score his brace.
Newcastle must make it harder for talented opponents to play, and Cheick Tioté is a key component of The Magpies best XI. This was demonstrated when the no. 24 helped shut down Chelsea and ended José Mourinho’s 23-match unbeaten start to 2014/15 in December last season.
That day, he was alongside Jack Colback, who can get forward more and influence the game better with a defensive rock behind him, as he also did in the Manchester City 2-0 League Cup win with Mehdi Abeid sitting.
If Tioté is not fit, then why not try not just Colback or Chancel Mbemba in front of the back four?
Already a crowd favourite, ‘The Chancellor’ has all of the physical and defensive attributes he was bought for and an unexpected quality and ease with the ball, with some mazy runs and a desire to get forward.
- Get the Geordies Involved Again
Steven Taylor can count himself very unlucky not to be in the team following an excellent display at Old Trafford when the defence kept a clean sheet. In fact, before Fabricio Coloccini committed his future to the club with a contract extension in late summer, a Taylor-Mbemba partnership may well have been lined up to start the season had the Captain left.
Yet, after another defeat, something must change. Another option is the employment of three centre-backs with naturally attacking pair, Massadio Haïdara and Daryl Janmaat, as flying wing-backs.
Last season, Steven Taylor played 12 times and Newcastle won six and drew two of these, from statistics not matched in a poor season without him in the line-up.
Paul Dummett must play when fit – he’s the club’s best defensive left-back and also does an excellent job in the middle, but was singled out by ex-Newcastle boss, Graeme Souness, as Newcastle’s star man last season.
Statistics show Newcastle won only eight points of their 39 Premier League total without Dummett. This included that win against Chelsea (and Man City in The League Cup), with five or six Geordies in the line-up.
Former Chairman, Freddie Shepherd, always believed in a “Geordie chip” that meant local lads gave that extra effort when playing for or managing the club in the case of the legendary Sir Bobby Robson.
It’s in their DNA – use it to maximum effect.
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