1. The Major Thorn In The Side Of Steve McClaren's Newcastle United is...
Dry pitches. Simple as that. Temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius made life very difficult for Newcastle on the night. A number of players were visibly exhausted as they tried to catch their breath while the pitch was so bone dry and bobbly that United couldn't get into any sort of passing rhythm. Nevertheless, the team stuck to their guns and tried to deal with the hand they had been dealt. No matter how frustrating it became at times. Mike Williamson's 'HOOF COUNT' only reached four, which tells you how much of an influence the new gaffer has already had on his players. However, for Newcastle's players to implement the style of play their head coach wants, they need the pitch to be heavily watered before and even during the game. So any Premier League scout running the rule over our weaknesses just needs to tell his groundsman not to water the pitch and they will have stopped The Magpies playing with minimal fuss. This is why they need to work on a plan B... Hopefully we'll see some evidence of this against Portland. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
