Another week at Newcastle United brings around talking points and discussions, I felt compelled to discuss Monday night’s dismal defeat to West Ham:
Prior to kick off McClaren’s preparation was disrupted by traffic, created via a large scale road traffic accident, causing the players to dismount the team coach and set off to Upton Park via foot. Arriving 40 minutes before kick off isn’t ideal, but Newcastle officials approached Premier League chiefs hoping to allow the game to be delayed by 15 minutes, allowing extra preparation time – a move which was rejected. Now, in no way, shape or form would I suggest that this rejection of additional playing time would have played a part in the result of the fixture, I was however dismayed at the decision. Had Manchester United requested such action, I feel the request would have been treated in a different way.
West Ham comprehensively defeated a lackluster Newcastle United – a result quite difficult to take. Having seen West Ham leak goals to both Bournemouth and Leicester in previous home fixtures, I felt this was a game Newcastle could attain a positive result. Newcastle failed to impose themselves and deserved to travel home from London with nothing.
Fans took to social media as usual, displaying their disgust at the result. Media outlets appeared to enjoy reporting a poor result. Questions were asked about McClaren’s tactics and instructions to the team. As manager, McClaren will always be the first in line, however I feel the players let the manager down, certain players more than others.
Moussa Sissoko
Whilst few could walk away from Monday nights game with any hint of praise, Moussa deserves criticism far and away from the normal. Sissoko, whilst on international duty decided upon posing for interviews with French media. He has a habit of opening his mouth whilst away from Tyneside, angling for moves away and often offering himself to the elite and champions league clubs. Sissoko talked about wanting to challenge for honours and play regularly in the Champions League, even going as far as to suggest Crystal Palace were a bigger club.
Monday evening Moussa was more Championship than Champions League. Sissoko’s body language showed a clear lack of interest. Having conceded possession on 22 separate occasions against West Ham, Sissoko is failing in his primary duties representing Newcastle. Sissoko has in my opinion started believing his own hype. He’s positioned himself upon a pedestal not bestowing his ability. Nothing has changed in his demeanor from last season. The big Frenchman still has the backbone of a jelly bean and the determination of a sloth. Euro 2016 is of massive importance to Sissoko. His only concern at this current moment is making the final to represent France. Sissoko suggested during interviews the reason he remained at Newcastle was predominantly because he is game time. Game time is demanded by French Manager Didier Deschamps. Sissoko has a mindset he’s free from criticism and being dropped, a mindset which is never going to help Newcastle United. Being paid handsomely by Newcastle, no player should be guaranteed a starting berth should they fail to perform for the team. Sissoko should be reminded of his obligations to not only the club but the fans who make the trips in their droves. A spell on the sidelines would be my course of action. Sissoko has gotten himself into a rut and Newcastle United deserve more than this mercenary is currently displaying.
Papiss Cisse
Following closely behind Sissoko in the dreadful attitudes stake is the Senegalese striker. Monday night Cisse was turgid at best. Cisse offered nothing in what turned out to be a toothless display. Alan Shearer described having Cisse upon the field as similar to playing with ten man and it’s very difficult to argue that point. Playing a lone striker role Cisse was designated to provide a focal point, something I never saw once on Monday. Playing Cisse is difficult his basic technical abilities are nothing short of dreadful. Trapping a ball proves difficult to Cisse, holding a ball up to alleviate pressure impossible. Cisse much like Sissoko looked a player clearly not interested.
Over the course of the summer, Cisse was the subject to a number of rumors. Was he on his way? Cisse clearly showed disappointment at being overlooked by Steve McClaren. Disappointment is what we should expect. Players should not be happy sitting on the bench. Such a mindset sends out the wrong message. Cisse’s attitude however shows something different. Cisse by all accounts appears disappointed in competition. For too long Cisse has been the only striker we would turn to. Having Mitrovic come in Cisse has sulked rather than worked hard to prove his worth to the team. Yesterday Daily mail journalists reported Cisse had failed to attend one to one meetings with Steve McClaren. Such acts are highly unprofessional and give the manager no reason to select them. Another player is failing at his primary duties, failing to represent the club in a fit and apt way. More time on the sideline is needed.
Jack Colback
Jack Colback divides opinion. Many see him as influential to Newcastle’s success. I have a completely different opinion. I feel Colback needs to be dropped for the best of the team. Monday Colback was anonymous, offering neither an attacking potency nor a disciplined defensive display. Watching Colback I think to myself what does he do? What does he offer the team that another player couldn’t? Such questions are difficult to answer. Colback has no problems with his attitude, that’s one thing I would say. You know he will cover large amounts of ground and give his all but is that enough? A fit fan can cover ground. Colback is in my mind nothing more than a squad player. Watching Monday night his contribution was minimal to say the least. Far too many times West Ham ran through the center of the field untouched. Colback offered no defensive screen, leaving Anita vulnerable. Offensively Newcastle struggle due to a lack of urgency. Rather than looking to spring transitions Colback is slow and hinders the build up.English Fans love a workhorse, a battler who gives up on nothing however Colback is not offering that. He’s part of a non functional midfield which has to be changed for the good of the club. Silly bookings come from him being caught out of position at regular intervals. Such reckless actions are becoming liable. Stats show Colback is one of the best tacklers in the league which is fine, however I expect far, far more from a modern elite midfielder. Offensively Colback offers nothing. He doesn’t possess the range of passing to play a playmaking role, he lacks the vision and awareness to open defenses and such limitations are holding Newcastle back.
Cheick Tiote
Recent newspaper articles have suggested Tiote is looking to move onto pastures new. Having played very little since his departure for the African Cup of Nations all those months ago, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest Tiote focusses upon regaining his fitness and form before sulking. Had any club bid for Tiote over the summer I feel the club would have cashed in. Tiote’s age, injures and massive drop of form it would have been easy to move the Ivorian international on.
Attitudes like Tiote’s are nothing new and whilst the management team impose a new mindset, it’s most concerning to see players showing little effort to not only comply but to adopt change. Rot set in years ago and players are refusing to change, which disgusts me. Newcastle United is bigger than any player. It always has and always will be. It is my belief players which fail to fall in line should be sold at the quickest opportunity.
Steve McClaren has my sympathy. Having the toughest start to a Premier League season is difficult enough without players behaving like petulant children. Fans and the local media have discussed McClaren’s tactics and talked about things not changing from last year. Fans have asked for a whole range of things, most notably scrapping the 4231 used by Newcastle and many other teams in the league. The formation in my mind is not the problem. The selection of personnel is, something I feel McClaren will naturally address. No matter what system is selected and how attacking you wish to be, if Sissoko loses possession 22 times in a game what chance do you have? If a striker doesn’t possess the basic skills to play his role what hope do you have? Mitrovic missing is proving costly, a harsh red robbing us of his services.
I have faith in McClaren, after 5 games there is certainly no need to panic. Giving Pardew took 8 games to record his first win last year why is there hysteria? Players must embrace the new ways. I have faith McClaren will not tolerate such lackluster performances and will look to make amends with the home visits of Watford. Rome wasn’t built in a day. A legacy isn’t built overnight. With peaks their will be troughs, rough and smooth, swings and roundabouts if it was easy it wouldn’t be fun.
