Newcastle United and Steve McClaren far from safe despite win
Newcastle United’s first victory in a lively match at St James’s Park does little to quell concerns heading in to the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.
On the surface of it Newcastle fans were relieved with their 6-2 win over Norwich City, their first of the season, and showed their appreciation by clapping their team off after the game. Steve McClaren will be particularly grateful for the reprieve and an easing in pressure. But despite scoring six, with four from last seasons Eredivisie player of the year Georginio Wijnaldum, there were still glaring concerns in the team’s performance.
They conceded six in defeat at table-topping Manchester City and their defending was again suspect throughout on Sunday admittedly in a game where both defences struggled. For the Norwich equaliser the Dieumerci Mbokani snuck between the static Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba to poke home. The home side’s central midfield duo of Jack Colback and Cheick Tiote were easily overrun at times, in part due to Wijnaldum and Sissoko’s lack of interest in covering their midfield. Tiote was eventually brought off for Vurnon Anita following an unsteady first half. They were notably brittle immediately after scoring and McClaren will be privately worried with the team’s mentality and how they only seemed to play once under Norwich pressure.
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Newcastle were particularly exposed down their right side where Moussa Sissoko was spectacular going forward but offered little to no support to his attack-minded full back Daryl Janmaat. The Norwich left flank took advantage with Martin Olsson given license to bomb forward at every opportunity and Norwich should have scored more, hitting the post twice with 18 shots to Newcastle’s 11 and dominating possession. Nathan Redmond gave Paul Dummett a torrid time also with the Newcastle full back eventually replaced by Massadio Haidara in between the home side’s fourth and fifth goals.
Whilst Sissoko registered three assists, he remains frustratingly inconsistent and the warier Newcastle fans will recall his anonymous performance in defeat at the Stadium of Light last season. And whilst Aleksandar Mitrovic took his goal well and caused the Norwich defence trouble throughout, McLaren must be concerned that his already notorious temper may get the better of him in the cauldron-like atmosphere of a Tyne-Wear derby. The 6-2 scoreline flattered Newcastle who were incredibly clinical scoring with all their shots on goal.
The result may have lifted the team off the bottom of the Premier League but they play Sunderland next weekend still in the relegation zone in what is the biggest game of their season so far. The Black Cats will also be desperate for their first victory and have won the last five league meetings between the two sides. Sunderland have made a habit of bringing in new managers recently just prior to the derby games and ex-Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will be hoping to continue the narrative set by Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and most recently Dick Advocaat.
"“Sunderland have won the last few derbies. We have got to break it” – Steve McClaren"
McClaren recognised the importance of the win saying he was “relieved” but clearly appreciates the significance of the upcoming derby noting; “Sunderland have won the last few derbies. We have got to break it”. Even against a Sunderland side with only 8 goals, you worry for McLaren if Newcastle defends as poorly again come Sunday.