McClaren Admits Newcastle Have "A Lot Of Work To Do" On Defending And Set-Pieces

Steve McClaren has admitted that Newcastle United still have to do a "lot of work on" defending set-pieces and crosses after the Magpies conceded two headed goals against Southampton. First Graziano Pelle out-jumped Chancel Mbemba to power home the opening goal of the game on Sunday, before Shane Long broke Toon hearts by heading in a 79th-minute equaliser at the back-post at St James' Park. The Magpies' opening Barclays Premier League fixture of the 2015-16 campaign finished 2-2 - with Papiss Cisse chesting in an equaliser before Georginio Wijnaldum headed a debut goal for the hosts - and Newcastle head coach McClaren knows defensive improvements still need to be made.

In fact, McClaren believes there is still "30%-40%" to come from his team - and he does not want Newcastle to concede "disappointing" goals like Southampton's equaliser in the future. Speaking to NUFCTV (paywall) after the game on Sunday, McClaren said:

"I think (we saw) two good teams (today). Southampton we know - we (ourselves) we didn't know beforehand and we've come away knowing that there's some very, very positive things and we need to build on that. "There's probably another 30%-40% we can improve on once we've got the fitness levels up and players who haven't played minutes start playing (more regularly). "You know it was their only shot in the first-half and I thought we were unlucky because we had chances before that, opportunities, maybe a penalty - but we didn't go flat. I think that was maybe the key you see. It didn't affect us, we kept going forward, deserved the equaliser and then the second goal was just fantastic. "That's disappointing (that both Southampton goals came from headers). One (that) we didn't stop the crosses and two not dealing with them. But Pelle's very good at that - very good at that. "The second goal was disappointing and that's something - that, and the set-plays - look there's a lot to work on. A lot of positives too though."

Set-pieces and defending from crosses into the box has been something that has been a blot on Newcastle's copybook for several seasons now. McClaren has said his side must address these two areas - and in the coming weeks and months they will certainly have to, or they will struggle to win Premier League football matches when they concede so regularly. CLICK HERE to read the Match Report from Newcastle United 2-2 Southampton.And CLICK HERE to read the Player Ratings from the game.Finally, CLICK HERE to read "10 Things We Learned From The Game".For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.