Steve McClaren has had a tough start to life as head coach at Newcastle United, with him still searching for his first Premier League win of the season.
The former England manager was appointed the Magpies head coach in June, after leaving Championship side Derby County, replacing John Carver at St. James' Park.
McClaren still searching for first league win
Although there is no reason for panic just yet for Steve McClaren and Newcastle supporters, McClaren is in danger of enduring a worryingly tough start to life at St. James' Park.
The Newcastle head coach is yet to win a Premier League match after four matches at his new club but he has seen his side reduced to 10-men in two of his first four games.
Newcastle started the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton. The Magpies showed signs of promise, with summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum impressing on his Premier League debut, scoring a goal.
McClaren described Newcastle's 2-0 defeat to Swansea City in their second game of the season as a "waste of a game", after the Magpies had to play five minutes of the first-half and the entire second-half with ten-men following defender Daryl Janmaat's dismissal.
McClaren had plenty more to smile about after his side held Manchester United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford. His side produced a battling display to secure their second point of the season. They were resoloute in defence and the Magpies had chances themselves to take all three points, the best of which saw summer signing Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the crossbar with his header.
Newcastle showed plenty of spirit in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their most recent Premier League game, despite having to play most of the game with 10-men. Mitrovic was sent-off in the 16th minute for a challenge on Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, a decision McClaren felt was "harsh".
McClaren has seen his side through to the third round of the Capital One Cup after a comfortable 4-1 victory over League Two side Northampton Town.
New signings
It was always going to be a summer of change at St. James' Park, with Steve McClaren's arrival and owner Mike Ashley promising big investment.
Newcastle have spent over £50 million on new players this summer, which is more than 12 per cent of the Premier League's net spend. However, have the Magpies spent it wisely?
Their best piece of business has to be the addition of Dutch attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV for a reported transfer fee of £14.5 million. The 24-year-old has provided a strong driving force from midfield, something that Newcastle have been lacking since Yohan Cabaye's departure last January. He adds an attacking threat to Newcastle, with his athleticism, ability and intelligence.
McClaren also bought French winger Florian Thauvin to St. James' Park from Marseille for £12 million. The 22-year-old has added width, pace and creativity to Newcastle's attacks, however some people see this transfer as a gamble after his rather inconsistent two-year spell in Ligue 1.
Defender Chancel Mbemba, joined from Anderlecht for a fee in the region of £8.5 million, and has added pace and strength to the Newcastle defence in addition to making several crucial interceptions and blocks.
It has not been the greatest of starts for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. The 20-year-old has received two yellow cards and a red card in his three matches since joining Newcastle from Anderlecht for £13 million. Would Newcastle have been better spending an extra two million to bring Charlie Austin to St. James' Park? One thing's for sure, McClaren needs to tame Mitrovic if he is going to be success in the Premier League and it will test his man-management.
Newcastle also signed Northampton Town's highly-rated 19-year-old striker, Ivan Toney for an undisclosed fee. This deal looks to be a deal with the future mind, with it most likely that the youngster will work with Newcastle's development squad this season.
However, despite five new additions, eight players leaving permanently and six on loan, is former manager Alan Pardew's legacy still lingering?
What needs to improve?
With fixtures against West Ham United, Watford, Chelsea and Manchester City to come, Newcastle need to improve quickly, otherwise they face another long season.
McClaren needs to rediscover Newcastle's winning mentality, having lost 12 of their last 17 league games and winning just three times in their last 23 Premier League games.
It is vital that Newcastle improve their discipline after two red cards in their opening four games, because, as Newcastle have discovered, it is very hard to win or get something out of a game when you have to play most of the match with 10-men.
Newcastle also need to improve their away form. The Magpies have not won on the road in the league since 31 January 2015, including a run of seven consecutive Premier League away defeats.
Signs of improvement from last season
Last season's campaign was disappointing, with Newcastle finishing 15th in the Premier League. However, there are signs of improvement already under McClaren.
Newcastle have looked hard to beat, even the match against Arsenal, which they had to play most of the match with 10-men, it took a Fabio Coloccini own goal to earn Arsenal the points.
The defence was certainly an area that McClaren knew he had to improve this season. Newcastle conceded 68, 59 and 63 goals in the last three seasons, however there has been a definite improvement with the Magpies looking much more solid in defence. This is highlighted in the Old Trafford clean sheet, when Tim Krul and his defence stayed resolute despite heavy pressure from Manchester United.
Newcastle have a bigger threat going forward than last season with summer signing Florian Thauvin adding width, pace and creativity and Georginio Wijnaldum also adding an attacking threat. If Aleksandar Mitrovic can rediscover the form he showed at Anderlecht, with 43 goals in 89 appearances for the Belgian side, than he will also add to Newcastle's threat. However, they need to improve in front of goal, having had only 17 shots at goal (the lowest in the Premier League).