7 Decisions McClaren Needs To Make Ahead Of Swansea Clash

4. Should Gabriel Obertan Keep His Place?

It would have been incredible to think before the first game of the season that this would even be a question. Yet given Gabriel Obertan's superb cross for Wijnaldum's header against the Saints, coupled with a performance where he helped out defensively, worked hard and showed signs that he can actually distribute the ball, the Frenchman has forced Steve McClaren to make a tough decision. McClaren has said that the reason he included the winger on Sunday, ahead of prodigy Rolando Aarons, was that he thought that the ex-Manchester United man would provide better defensive cover and it's hard to disagree with that. Obertan has previously showed little sign of having a footballing brain, that is, when given time, the Frenchman has struggled to pick players out. At the weekend, he showed pace and an instinctive style of play - if he can use these to turn himself into a consistent, productive outlet, maybe he can hold down the spot long term. With Aarons showing such skill and creativity last season though, he is a different style of player to Obertan and could give McClaren a problem as he certainly appears to be a player that could turn into a star if given games. Stick or twist: Stick Obertan has shown precious little during his time on Tyneside to suggest that this is sustainable but while the winger is doing the job that McClaren has asked him to do, it would be extremely harsh to take him out of the side. Aarons will certainly keep Obertan on his toes and off the bench could scare defences with his pace and trickery but, as a newly-appointed head coach, McClaren should really reward Obertan for his strong start with another opportunity against Swansea.