5 Heroes (And 5 Villains) From Portland Timbers 2 4-3 Newcastle
Williamson is on the list - but not where you'd expect him to be...
If Steve McClaren didnt know what Newcastle Uniteds biggest problem defensively has been for the past few seasons, then he certainly does now. Set-pieces have been a shambles both offensively and defensively for the Magpies for years - and playing a back four with only one recognised centre-back in it certainly didnt help matters. Centre-backs are a priority for the Magpies and, although Chancel Mbemba is set to arrive this week for £7.5 million, more need to follow as the Newcastle defence were breached four times during the 4-3 defeat to Portland Timbers 2. However, the main bright spark for Newcastle was the continued emergence of Rolando Aarons. The youngster bagged a brace - including a magnificent overhead kick - to drag United back into the game, but for some reason the visitors only decided to start playing after 75 minutes. Despite it taking Georginio Wijnaldum just six minutes into his full Newcastle debut to score and put the tourists ahead, the Magpies somehow found themselves 3-1 down by the 30th minute. Two of those goals came courtesy of woeful set-piece defending. Yes this is only a pre-season friendly, and yes this was a makeshift back four to say the very least, but McClarens men have looked vulnerable at best in each of their three matches Stateside - including in this one against an MLS reserve team at Providence Park. When the Magpies team was announced, confusion surrounded how Newcastle would line up. And, once Gael Bigirimana, Lubomir Satka, Shane Ferguson and Aarons organised in defence in a fluid 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 formation, heads were certainly being scratched. But which Newcastle players performed well? And who really struggled as a result of the personnel changes? Well here 6 heroes (and 5 villains) from the loss to Portland Timbers 2...