10 Problems Steve McClaren Must Address At Newcastle

3. Work Out How To Stop Newcastle Leaking So Many Goals... And How To Start Scoring More

Newcastle United conceded the second-highest number of goals in the Premier League in 2014-15 (63) and yet they managed to score just 40 of their own. To put it simply, the Magpies have problems at both ends of pitch - and they will need to sort out both areas before they can even to begin to think about looking up the table. Centre-backs in particular must be recruited, ideally with experience, and the defending of set-pieces must be shored up in order to ensure that Newcastle do not leak as many sloppy goals in the future. Upfront, at least two players are needed - and a player the calibre of Charlie Austin would be a great start to the recruitment drive. Papiss Cisse scored 11 of Newcastle's Premier League goals last season, despite playing just 1,154 minutes of action, and he needs a strike partner who can also contribute. However, McClaren must also look to his defence and midfield to contribute a greater number of goals as well, because the Magpies currently rely too heavily on their frontline to find the back of the net.