Well, halfway through another Premier League season Newcastle United find themselves in an all too familiar position. The cruel jaws of relegation snaps at our heels and the prospect of Championship football shadows over the cathedral that is St James’ Park.
Steve McClaren was brought in to steady a sinking ship. Alan Pardew and John Carver had left a squad of un-motivated, dispassionate players with as little quality as possible.
McClaren was given a budget, and a sizeable one at that to improve the playing squad, whilst bringing in coaching staff such as Ian Cathro and Paul Simpson. Whilst the majority of Pardew’s coaching staff left for pastures new, Erick Black, a familiar face on Tyneside joined forces again in an attempt to stop the rot of unhelpful muscular injuries.
Here are our ratings for McClaren and his men.
