11 Things We Learned From Gateshead Vs. Newcastle
Things are certainly going to change...
Newcastle United kicked off their 2015/16 campaign with a trip to Gateshead. Steve McClaren used no less than 22 players as his players coasted to a 1-0 victory. Papiss Cisse scored the goal on the night from the penalty spot in a match that should have seen United put their non-league opponents to the sword. A hat-full of missed opportunities from the likes of Emmanuel Riviere, Moussa Sissoko and youngster Adam Armstrong meant the scoreline flattered Heed, who only managed to register one shot on target all evening. But hey ho, this is the new Newcastle United. Steve McClaren is at the helm, Ian Cathro et al are in his backroom staff, and Georginio Wijnaldum is set to become the clubs new prize midfielder oh, and they have won a football match without every really looking troubled, something they simply couldnt do during John Carvers hapless reign. It was a very decent start to the new reign with plenty of promising signs. Yes this was only Gateshead who were dogged without the ball, if hardly threatening with it at the International Stadium and the scoreline wasn't at all flattering, but the Magpies can only be judged game by game for now, and it was a beginning that showed glimpses towards a brave new dawn for Newcastle United Football Club. So here's 10 things WhatCulture.com/NUFC, who were in the press box for the game, learned from the performance...