Newcastle United picked up their second win of pre-season with a 0-1 win over Sacramento Republic at Bonney Field.
An early second half own goal from Sacramento’s James Kiffey was enough to give United the win, who also saw Massadio Haïdara sent off after a collision with Danny Berrera.
New signing Georginio Wijnaldum came on for his first appearance as a Newcastle player after 70 minutes, but wasn’t able to make an impact as the game fizzled out after Haïdara’s dismissal.
As much as pre-season football is primarily about building up your fitness prior to the start of the Premier League campaign, here are three talking points after Newcastle’s latest performance in the US:
Why isn’t there more emphasis on defensive recruitment?
For the first half of the game in particular, Newcastle looked like a side who could concede goals at any given moment. They passed the ball around well enough when they had possession, but without it they looked defensively vulnerable yet again.
Sacramento seemed to cause the Newcastle defence several problems with basic passing movement, especially with simple over-the-top balls, and Newcastle were guilty of giving away plenty of silly fouls in dangerous positions. Tim Krul was called upon to make two fine saves from free kicks in the first half of the game, and once again to deny Thomas Stewart’s close range strike after the Newcastle defence was caught napping.
Steven Taylor’s introduction at half time certainly appeared to steady the ship somewhat, but Williamson again looked at sixes and sevens, and Lascelles seems to have a few things to learn.
But even from then, Freddie Woodman had to be in fine form for Newcastle during the second half as Sacramento continued to easily find space and create chances.
With all the recent transfer talk on Tyneside regarding bolstering our attacking options, it is a surprise that there isn’t too much concrete talk of defensive reinforcements incoming. Matip, Mbemba, Abdennour and Tomkins have all been mentioned, but no deals are reported to be close as of yet.
If at least one quality centre back isn’t brought in to the club, Newcastle are going to find themselves enduring another difficult season. Regardless of the quality they have at the other end.
Is Papiss Cissé’s time at Newcastle United coming to an end?
Based on his performance against Sacramento, you’d certainly have to think something was up.
With all of the talk in the last 24 hours regarding Aleksandar Mitrović’s imminent move to Tyneside, you’d have assumed Cissé would have led the line at Bonney Field with a point to prove that he is still worthy of his place in the starting XI. Especially considering talk that QPR’s Charlie Austin will remain a serious target for Newcastle, even with the arrival of Mitrović from Anderlecht.
Instead, the Senegalese forward’s movement was sluggish as he struggled to get on the end of crosses, his touch was off and he didn’t seem willing to chase down loose balls.
In short, he looked like a man that knew his time at Newcastle was coming to an end. Of course it may have just been an off day, or he could have been carrying a slight knock, we don’t know.
But it does seem strange to put in such a lacklustre performance when we’re aware of the competition you’re going to soon be dealing with.
Cissé has been linked with a move away this summer, with Turkey suggested as a possible destination. The 30-year-old has started all three of Newcastle’s pre-season fixtures thus far. But should Mitrović be given the nod (as expected) to start up top for the tail-end of Newcastle’s pre-season program, it could pave the way for the end of Papiss’s spell at St. James’ Park.
Will Rolando Aarons be pushing for a starting XI spot for the opening game of the season?
Looking at the young winger’s lively substitute performance in California, you’d have to make a pretty comprehensive argument to suggest he won’t be.
There has been a lot of talk during the past month or so of how Newcastle could line up for their opener with Southampton, especially in the midfield positions. With De Jong, Sissoko, Colback, Anita, Tioté and Wijnaldum all likely to be pushing for a place in the Newcastle engine room come August 9, Aarons will have his work cut out to force his way into the starting XI.
But despite only getting around 20 minutes of game time against Sacramento, Aarons was arguably Newcastle’s brightest player during the match. Despite being deployed in a left-back position to compensate for Haïdara’s sending off.
Aarons was worked relentlessly over the summer to ensure he is ready for the new season, and Steve McClaren will have no doubt been impressed by his work on the left-hand side against Sacramento.
