Steve McClaren certainly has a task ahead of him. Taking over the Newcastle United job seemed to be a difficult task from the start, but now the Magpies are still facing the threat of relegation and are currently trying to gel four first team players into the squad. It’s really now or never for the former England manager.
The next game is against West Bromwich Albion at home, a game that the supporting Geordies will be fully expecting a result from.
Team news
McClaren has reported to the press that there is an astounding 12 players currently out injured, with one serving a suspension. This has resulted in the drafting in of three under-21 squad players. Namely; Callum Williams, Liam Gibson and Dan Barlaser.
The Tyneside club seemed adamant to secure the signature of a left-back in the January transfer window with reports suggesting that Atletico Madrid’s Guilherme Siqueira was the main target.
Yet with the Brazilian signing for Valencia instead, Newcastle have been left without cover for the injured Paul Dummett and Kevin Mbabu. McClaren has now confirmed that one of the U-21 players will be brought in to cover that position.
Steven Taylor has been confirmed to come back into the starting eleven, with McClaren commenting that "Taylor is a true Geordie who wears his heart on his sleeve", adding that his team will "need that type of character" in the game.
The current Newcastle strikers, Aleksander Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez and Papiss Cisse, have a combined total of 11 goals so far this season. With 61 appearances shared out between the three forwards, this return is simply not enough. Which lead to the January loans signing of Seydou Doumbia.
The Ivorian striker will not start in the game against West Brom, with McClaren stating that he is being put through his paces in training and he “may have been asking too much” of his most recent signing.
One thing that the Newcastle boss will be hoping doesn’t happen is that Saido Berahino, the subject of a Newcastle bid in excess of £20million, will be in the match day squad and certainly could score.
The form
Newcastle have gained just one win in their last nine games, including their last game, a 3-0 loss to Everton. Roberto Martinez’s side have had their struggles so far this season, but succeeded in making Newcastle look very lack lustre.
However, all five of Newcastle’s last defeats were away from home, with the Magpies previous two home games bringing two positive results, a 2-1 win over West Ham and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester United respectively.
McClaren was keen to stress the importance of the home crowd, the 54-year old stated; “Tomorrow is a big game and 50,000 Geordies will demand a performance of attitude, character and football.”
Yet, the former Derby County manager believes it is up to his own side to turn things around, and believes that his side “has the talent to turn things around, but definitely need more consistency in our performances.”