5 Heroes (And 5 Villains) From Club Atlas 2-1 Newcastle
Has Williamson somehow managed to get even worse over the summer?
Newcastle United are hardly in a rut following their first defeat of pre-season but the loss to Mexican Liga MX side Club Atlas has given a dose of realism to those Magpies supporters who may have been euphoric following the £14.5 million acquisition of Georginio Wijnaldum and the narrow victory over Gateshead. It has taken Steve McClaren just two pre-season matches in charge to experience an all-too-familiar feeling for NUFC bosses in recent years - defeat. A lacklustre start that saw Newcastle fall two goals behind inside 17 minutes cost them despite the Magpies being much improved after the break as the Premier League side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Club Atlas at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Moussa Sissokos finessed finish right on half-time gave Magpies the momentum heading into the second 45, but Newcastles 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. This game must be taken in context, however, and the daggers should not be out for Newcastle Uniteds "evolution" after one meaningless pre-season friendly defeat - just as the plaudits should not have been too loud following their narrow 1-0 victory at Gateshead last Friday - but lessons must still be learned. Some Newcastle players still impressed at Miller Park despite the defeat, however, while others certainly did not cover themselves in glory - so here are 5 heroes and 5 villains from the game...