10 Things We Learned From Sheffield United 2-2 Newcastle

There are now just two pre-season games remaining for Steve McClaren to ensure his Newcastle United side are in tip-top shape for the beginning of the 2015-16 Premier League season following the Magpies' 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. And, on the evidence of things in south Yorkshire, McClaren still has a lot of work to do with his players before the Premier League opener with Southampton at St James' Park on Sunday August 9th. With Newcastle and Sheffield Utd meeting up for Chris Morgan€™s Bramall Lane testimonial, Georginio Wijnaldum capitalised on a defensive mistake by the home side to register his second goal in as many games since signing for the Magpies, but Marc McNulty levelled not long after the break. However, Siem de Jong came off the bench and tapped in from a corner to seemingly give Newcastle the victory, only for Kieron Freeman to smash in a screamer of an equaliser for the Blades. That makes it two wins, two losses and a draw from Newcastle's five pre-season fixtures to date, with only York City at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday evening (7.45pm kick-off) and Borussia Monchengladbach at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) left to come before the 2015-16 Premier League campaign begins. So what sort of shape are the Magpies in right now? Here are 10 things WhatCulture.com/NUFC learned from Newcastle's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United...