Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League against Southampton at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon.
The match will be McClaren's first competitive match in charge of the Magpies after becoming manager in June following his departure from Derby County.
The former England manager was asked about Newcastle's pre-season, Sunday's opener, Fabricio Coloccini's contract extension and the transfer window.
Short pre-season not an "excuse"
McClaren was "pleased" with the work that the Newcastle team has done over pre-season but added that "we'll only know if we're ready on Sunday when the game begins." The Newcastle manager was especially pleased with the "attitude of the squad".
However, he said that it has been a "short pre-season" and "everybody has their problems" but there can be "no excuses" as "we've done our work and are ready to play."
Whatever the result on Sunday, McClaren said that Newcastle "mean business" this season. "It's a long season and that starts on Sunday", he added.
McClaren will feel the nerves on Sunday
McClaren admitted that he will be "nervous" on Sunday, in his first Premier League match in charge of Newcastle, and added that "if you don't have those nerves and expectations then it's time to pack it in."
McClaren said that Newcastle's opponents on Sunday were the "surprise package" of last season's Premier League, after Southampton finished seventh. McClaren also praised Southampton manager, Ronald Koeman, who he said, has done a "great job" on the South coast.
Team selection
McClaren said that he has still got "decisions" to make regarding the fitness of new signings Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba and he will have to make another decision on whether defender Coloccini is ready to play.
Coloccini, who extended his contract and was announced as the club captain for this season earlier today, has not featured in any of Newcastle's pre-season games.
McClaren added that interest from other clubs and speculation on the defender's future has hindered Coloccini's preperation. "He has done the majority of training" and "sometimes the best way of getting the players up to speed is to play."
McClaren is "delighted" with captain Coloccini's contract extension
McClaren said that he was "delighted" that Coloccini, who will be the club captain for a fifth season, has signed a one-year contact extension at St. James' Park.
He said that it was "an easy decision" to extend the defender's contract. "I said that I wanted him, I want him as captain here. He is a leader, hugely respected throughout the club and a top-class player."
McClaren added that he hoped that Coloccini would finish his career at St. James' Park, where he has been for seven years and where "he wants to finish it".
Newcastle are still looking to strengthen
McClaren has already been busy this summer bringing in four new players (striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, defender Chancel Mbemba and young striker Ivan Toney), but the Newcastle manager reiterated that the club is still "looking" to strengthen.
McClaren added that they will "assess" the squad after the first few games of the season.
Newcastle Unted begin the season at St. James' Park against Southampton at 13:30 (BST) on Sunday.