10 Things We Learned From Newcastle vs Northampton

6. Steve McClaren Is More Intelligent Than Alan Pardew And John Carver

I was very impressed with Steve McClaren's team selection against Manchester United and Northampton Town. The manager showed tactical awareness and an intelligence to field a number of experienced first team professionals combined with some bench players and youngsters who have a point to prove. The selection worked and the team earned a dominating 4-1 win without playing frequent starters Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini, Gabriel Obertan, Georginio Wijnaldum and only fielding Jack Colback and Aleksandar Mitrovic for a short period. McClaren will once more shuffle his pack for the fixture against Arsenal at the weekend and it's reassuring to see the former Derby boss developing a promising relationship with his squad and building specific teams to win the right fixtures.