Cast your minds back, 24th May 2015. Fans of Newcastle United awoke to judgment day. A disastrous season, filled with misery concluding with a fixture against West Ham. Staring down the barrel at relegation, very little optimism visible, expectation replaced with hope, fans descended upon St James’ Park with everything crossed.
4:45 P.M. Referee, Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle to huge sighs of relief. Victory and safety assured, questions could now be asked. Why were a club of Newcastle United’s stature in such a mess? Week after week fans looked for answers to their questions, none forthcoming made the situation worse.
Newcastle under the leadership of Alan Pardew treated fans with contempt. Communication and rapport with supporters was non existent. Fans were perceived to be nothing more than a miserable customer as opposed to a caring fan. Newcastle United to many fans is more than a football club, it’s a way of life, a religion few other fans anywhere in the world will understand. Seeing the club being operated behind continual mishaps, in a corporate, non caring or welcoming way upset even the true die hard’s. In a final insult to the supporters, Alan Pardew and John Carver believed it to be acceptable to blame and abuse the very foundation of the club.
Move forward a few months, the current situation is a complete polar opposite. Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley both admitted mistakes had been made. Readdressing and rectification of the current problems their only thought. Whilst many fans may be sceptical surely it’s only right to allow the club to make decisions to appease all. Mike Ashley has never given a televised interview before. A man is only as good as his word. I look now and can see the changes are beginning to appear.
Firstly, the removal of both John Carver and Steve Stone was a joyous moment. Accepting the coaching team was unfit for purpose is a sign the board are prepared to change the current direction. Carrying on with the inadequate coaches would have seen the club delve further into chaos. Whilst Newcastle had to compensate both men to terminate their contracts, it was certainly money well spent. Coaching and motivation is vitally important in modern day football.
Steve McClaren brought in to the club a new philosophy, mentality and approach to football. A new voice in the dressing room was necessary but only a beginning. Being joined by Paul Simpson, Ian Cathro, Steve Black and Alessandro Schoenmaker, Newcastle have found and recruited a modern, vibrant team looking to attain the maximum possible from the squad at their disposal. Cathro, walks into Newcastle with a very unique CV for a man of his age. Having previously served as assistant at Champions League hopefuls Valencia, Cathro is seen as one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe.
During a recent Fans Forum meeting, members were informed by the board, Newcastle were endearing to open lines of communication. Communication is vital in order to have rapport with supporters. For far to long Newcastle have disengaged with fans preferring to remain tight lipped. Steve McClaren took time out to personally appear at the meeting, setting a president never afforded by previous managers. McClaren both engaged with fans whilst listening to ideas and such actions should be seen as a step in the right direction. Emails were also sent to fans from Steve McClaren, outlining plans moving forward and current expectations. Such actions are new and innovative, which allow fans to become closer to the action. Whilst a minority will see this as nothing more than a PR stunt, one must surely respect the effort of the club.
McClaren speaks openly and frankly when it comes to the acquisition of players to not only improve the squad but move forward. Asking fans to be patient during deals, Newcastle held their nerve to acquire Wijnaldum from PSV. Having spent £14.5million, Wijnaldum became Newcastle’s third most expensive transfer of all time. A Dutch international, Wijnaldum will offer a creative threat missing for far to long. Having represented Holland at the recent World Cup and captained PSV to league glory, Wijnaldum provides further leadership to a team who at times last season capitulated under the pressure.
Completing a transfer such as Wijnaldum should be seen as a massive coup. Having previously rejected Italian giants AC Milan to make the switch, it’s evident the club has the capacity to lure fine talent. McClaren has reiterated many times Wijnaldum is not the only target the club has, 4 or 5 more additions are targeted to ensure McClaren has the necessary tools to move forward. Media rumors are continually circulating. Deciphering what is fact and fiction is ultimately challenging. I believe however it’s more than fair to say Aleksandar Mitrovic and Charlie Austin are legitimate targets, with many outlets reporting movement and breakthroughs could occur this weekend. Seeing Newcastle United target such individuals is delightful. International pedigree, technical ability and correct mindsets focussed upon. The club want to move forward, providing fans with a team to not only be proud of but believe in.
Preseason commenced little over a fortnight ago, with the club providing various snippets of video footage across social media platforms. Videos range from tactical drills to interviewing players. Conducted by both Dan King and Lee Marshall, both men are ensuring fans are kept up to date the inner workings of the club. NUFC TV, a premium, online subscription based, official site offers a far larger content. Interviews and behind the scenes footage allows members access like never before. Costing £40 per year, less than one pound per week the footage provided is fantastic and credit should be given to King and Marshall. Many fans would prefer the service to be free however the club are only working in similar ways to other clubs. MUFC and Liverpool have television channels costing over twice the fee Newcastle demand.
I’m not saying every fan should buy it but having asked current members of the service, they couldn’t praise the content more. Having watched the videos the training is nothing I have seen at Newcastle previously. Under Alan Pardew, players returned from holidays to intensive fitness training. McClaren and Cathro have moved to seek a balance between technical and fitness work. Anita, De Jong and many other players spoke or their joy at the new methods.
Cathro’s methods fascinate me. As a fan whose become accustomed to watching long ball, negative, safety first football, the new mindset is not only positive but a world away. McClaren and Cathro are working upon possession and being comfortable on the ball, while Steve Black is looking to drill confidence on the ball into the players. Players are being challenged to think about their decisions on the field. Making decisions on the field is as important as technical ability. A player must be able to think about where they move off the ball but also be aware what’s around them when in possession. Players able to think quickly and meticulously makes them more unpredictable. Being unpredictable takes the opposition out of the comfort zone. Moving players from comfort zones, creates uneasiness and errors occur, Newcastle can capitalise upon that. Players are split into small groups allowing the message to delivered clearly and constructively.
Friendlies have began, a narrow 1-0 at neighboring Gateshead was followed up by defeat to Mexican outfit FC Atlas in the first game in a three game American tour. Results in this tour whilst may be pleasing are not necessarily important in the grand scheme of things. Highlights of the tour being broadcasted to fans at home, whilst players and management engage with fans overseas is a great touch. Players spend time signing autographs and posing for photographs to the many who have traveled from not only across the Atlantic but from all corners of America.
Watching Newcastle face FC Atlas, a defeat was unfortunate but on the whole there was many positives. Style of play has dramatically changed. Defenders are now moving wider and looking to build from the back, long balls replaced by incisive movement and transitions. As time goes on the system will become more fluent and understandable. Players are having to learn a completely new system, something which will not happen overnight.
FC Atlas dominated a first half strewn with errors and played with an intensity not befitting a friendly. Challenges were rash and late, something struggled to counter against. Second half was a completely different tale. Newcastle were the only side looking to win the game and for a debatable decision could have ended the game even. Seeing players actively looking to play attractive football is encouraging. De Jong and Aarons spent large spells on the sidelines and their touches appeared rusty and lack of match practice shone through. As pre season moves closer to the commencement of a new season, players will become sharper fitter and raring to go. Saturday gives fans another insight into the evolution of the squad. I look on now optimistic about what I’m about to witness as opposed to sitting filled with fear a dread.
In conclusion I would like to say, whilst there is still much work to be done, what’s currently being displayed is a world away from what we’ve been treated to in the last 4 years. Attitudes and mindsets appear to be changing. Body language from players shows a happiness to learn and move the club forward. Signing Wijnaldum is a great start and future additions will help Newcastle become a force within the Premier League. Many fans are struggling to move away from the pessimism. You cannot live in the past. History will not help us. McClaren has offered the fans a commitment to move forward, embrace and live in hope.
