17 Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs. Club Atlas

Newcastle's second pre-season match saw them go down 2-1 to Mexican side Club Atlas as defensive problems blighted yet another Magpies game. Atlas' Gonzalo Bergessio managed to get himself in behind Jamaal Lascelles, only for the ex-Nottingham Forest defender to scythe the forward down in the box. The late challenge showed naivety and a rawness that will take time to draw out of Lascelles - and Bergessio punished the big defender by calmly slotting the penalty into the left-hand corner. Then, just seven minutes later, Yoan Gouffran played an awful ball back from midfield that was intercepted by Atlas€™ Cristian Tabo, who lofted a precise pass over a poorly-positioned and hesitant Mike Williamson. Bergessio then ran on to the ball and smashed a lovely finish over Krul and into the net. Remember Marco Van Basten in the Euro '88 final? This was better (maybe). Moussa Sissoko€™s finessed finish right on half-time gave Magpies the momentum heading into the second 45, but Newcastle€™s inept first-half display ultimately proved to be their downfall - and this result will leave McClaren, Ian Cathro and the rest of the backroom staff in no doubt that serious groundwork is still needed to rid this Newcastle side of their rotten habits. Once again there were plenty of positives to take from the game, so Magpies fans shouldn't be downhearted by the result. It is still very early days in terms of Steve McClaren's reign and United's pre-season schedule after all... Here's everything WhatCultureNUFC learned from the performance...