15 Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs. Portland Timbers 2

8. Lubo Satka Isn't The Future

Yes he's young, and yes he was the only recognised defender in United's back-line, but Lubo Satka had one of those days in Portland... The Slovakian was given the thankless last of marshalling the most misfit of Newcastle defences ever seen. That responsibility, which could have been the making of him, simply proved too much and crushed his performance. The 19-year-old, who is the captain of United's Under-21 side no less, couldn't deal with either the physical or mental battle with an MLS reserves front-line, which tells you all you need to know. And that's what we all need to remember here. Someone United obviously have high hopes for couldn't deal with an MLS reserve side... The centre-back had a torrid time which started with a Steven Gerrard-esque slip that allowed Portland in for their first goal of the evening, and it didn't get much better from there. He failed to deal with the same long ball all evening and proved he has a long way to go before even being considered a first-team squad player at St James' Park. His display highlighted how threadbare Newcastle's squad is and, most damningly of all, saw Newcastle cursing their decision not to select Mike Williamson...