1. Eek Out More Goals From His Team
Another of the countless problems to affect Newcastle last season that are still to be adequately resolved, Steve McClaren needs to eek out a greater number of goals from his side. Take out the 4-3 loss to Portland Timbers 2 and the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United - both against lower-league opposition, and neither of which the Magpies managed to win anyway it must be noted - and Newcastle have scored just four times in their other five pre-season matches. Papiss Cisse has not looked sharp at all, Ayoze Perez has found the back of the net just once and looks like he could start the Premier League season as a substitute under McClaren, while Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a sitter from just eight yards out against Borussia during his home debut on Saturday. Before anyone goes crazy and says that Mitrovic is being written off in this article prematurely, that is certainly not the case. Mitrovic has everything it takes to be a success in the Premier League, and he has really put himself about during his two pre-season appearances for Newcastle, but it may take him some time to adapt to English football. The Magpies, however, do not have time on their side. They need goals, and they need them immediately because they have a difficult start with Southampton at home followed by away trips to Swansea City and Manchester United, before Arsenal arrive at St James' Park on August 29th. Without goals, Newcastle could easily find themselves with just a handful of points - if any - by the time September comes around. That is certainly not the start McClaren wants, or needs, as Newcastle boss.
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