10 Things We Learned From Newcastle's Open Training Session
NUFC's open training session was far more informative than you might think...
Newcastle United Football Club rarely open themselves up to the public, but on Tuesday August 4th they at least attempted to. More than 13,000 Toon supporters were allowed through the gates of St James' Park to enjoy both a "Family Fun Day", as well as an open training session. First the youth-team, foundation and community teams played on the hallowed turf, then the first-team squad arrived with Steve McClaren, Ian Cathro, Paul Simpson and all the other coaches, ready to show off the work they have undertaken during the pre-season campaign. Because that's it in terms of Newcastle's pre-season campaign. All seven matches are played, and now there's just days until their Premier League campaign kicks off against Southampton at St James' Park on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off). Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba are already through the door this summer, but significant recruitment still needs to be undertaken - particularly in order to shore up a creaking Magpies defence. But what did we actually find out from this open training session and "Fun Day" that we didn't already know about McClaren's Newcastle before? Well here's 10 things we learned from Newcastle's United open training session and fun day at St James' Park...