Ahead of Sunday’s must-win clash against Norwich City, the Chronicle report that Steve McClaren has made his bipolar side watch positive segments from their previous games in an attempt to improve consistency.
McClaren reportedly gathered the United squad in their training ground meeting room before showing them footage of their encouraging first half performances against last season’s champions Chelsea and current table toppers Manchester City.
The Magpies produced their best performance of the season to date in the first 45 minutes of last months home clash with Chelsea, as Ayoze Perez’ sublime right footed finish saw a buoyant United side head into half time with a deserved lead. Despite doubling their lead through Georginio Wijnaldum’s header, Newcastle disappointingly failed to maintain the first half tempo which put Mourinho’s side on the back foot and had an excellent late Tim Krul save to thank for their solitary point.
Worse was to come for McClaren’s side at the Etihad Stadium as the Magpies’ impressive first half display was completely undone in 13 bizarre second-half minutes that saw the shellshocked Magpies inexplicably concede 5 goals.
McClaren hopes that Newcastle can right the wrongs from their last two games and maintain their performance levels for 90 minutes against Alex Neil’s enterprising Canaries side.
Speaking to the Chronicle, McClaren said:
What we have done in the last two games is play well, really well for 45 minutes.
We showed the players the 45 minutes and said: All you have to do is produce that for 90 minutes. If they do that, they will get results.
Norwich are first up as Newcastle head into Autumn with a run of conceivably winnable fixtures on the horizon.
The Magpies have shown what they’re capable of against the big boys this season by shutting out Manchester United, frustrating Arsenal and dominating Chelsea and City for 45 minutes, now it’s time for that level of effort, fight and application to be replicated against all opposition.
If Newcastle can harness the positive elements of their previous performances, whilst eradicating the infuriating negatives, they’re in with a great chance of getting their season off to a belated start this Sunday.
Here’s hoping.
