15 Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs. Portland Timbers 2

14. Steve McClaren Didn't Care About This Game

This was a game that Steve McClaren's Newcastle United simply had to come through unscathed. That's all the new head coach wanted. How have we come to this conclusion? Well, it was a game played on an artificial surface against a MLS side's reserve team. How are either of those entities relevant to a Premier League side? On top of that, he picked anyone he had available in any position that needed filling. When will Shane Ferguson EVER play centre back again? After you've considered all of that, ask yourself what the manager wanted to get out of the fixture besides from few minutes for a number of his more untried players? Ultimately it was a wasted trip that culminated in a pointless exercise. Although, Freddie Woodman, Rolando Aarons and Georginio Wijnaldum won't be saying this... They're the only players who really got anything out of Wednesday morning's fixture.