10 Things We Learned From Newcastle's Open Training Session

2. Newcastle Have Plenty Of Options In Attack (Even If They Have Very Few In Defence)

Okay so not new information per se, just highlighted once more. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez, Moussa Sissoko, Rolando Aarons, Georginio Wijnaldum, Siem de Jong - and that's before you even name Gabriel Obertan, Remy Cabella or Emmanuel Riviere - are Newcastle's options in attack. The latter three may draw wry smiles due to their less-than-successful NUFC careers to date, but all could still offer something to the squad going forward. What's clear is that for the first time in a long time Newcastle actually have options in attack. With four players who can play up front and at least eight who can occupy the three places in behind in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Steve McClaren may have some selection headaches going forward - even if you do remove the final three names from that list. Unfortunately the same cannot be said in defence. Further quality additions in attack are still needed, but most prominently they need defenders - and mainly a tall, powerful centre-back. Until they are signed then Newcastle will head into the season extremely lopsided, with options in attack but none in defence.