McClaren Wants St James' Park Back To Exactly How It Was Pre-John Carver
The life was almost sucked out of St James' last season - and McClaren wants it back.
Steve McClaren wants to make St James' Park a "great, tremendous place" again following Newcastle United's shambolic 2014-15 campaign when the life was almost sucked out of the place at times due to the turgid football on display. The ex-England and Middlesbrough boss has labelled Newcastle as a "great and big club" - but he knows there is a serious job ahead to get them back to where they should be. Having taken charge of his first match at St James' - the 1-0 pre-season friendly loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday - McClaren admits he is "excited" for his opening Premier League fixture there against Southampton on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off). 
"It's a big club and its a great club and I'm excited by what I see. I know this club inside out from living in this area. "And - after being here several times in the opposing dugout - I know what a great, tremendous place it can be. "It was nice (to get a good reception from the fans against Borussia), but the game gets going and you kind of forget about everything, dont you?"Under John Carver, and even Alan Pardew, the atmosphere was almost drained out of St James' Park due to the turgid football and poor results on the field. However, McClaren is determined to get the feel-good factor back at Newcastle's HQ - starting against Southampton on Sunday. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.