10 Issues McClaren STILL Needs To Resolve At Newcastle Before The Season Kicks Off

9. Set-Pieces

One that will not come as a surprise to any Newcastle fan out there - the Magpies just are not very good at set-pieces. And that counts for both offensive and defensive situations. They haven't been for years in all honesty, but Steve McClaren desperately needs to address this going forward. On Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach, that was highlighted particularly in attack. The Magpies won numerous corners and, on the whole, Jack Colback's delivery was very good. However, Newcastle just could not convert any of their chances. Mike Williamson did his usual of winning a header unmarked but hopelessly mis-directing it over the bar, while Papiss Cisse and Rolando Aarons also failed to convert good opportunities. McClaren and his coaching staff still have a lot of work to do in this department going forward because it could cost Newcastle games. Scoring eight-to-10 times from corners, and conceding significantly less than they did last season from them at the other end, could be the difference between Newcastle finishing in the top eight and battling relegation. They really are that crucial.