Newcastle Can Have "No Excuses" Against Southampton, Admits McClaren

Steve McClaren insists Newcastle United have "no excuses" ahead of the opening Barclays Premier League match against Southampton on Sunday - and believes recent history between the two sides will bear no relevance to the result. The Saints have beaten the Magpies three times in a row, netting 10 goals and conceding just one in the process, but McClaren insists "everyone's had the same" preparation for this season, so there can be "no excuses" from his side. With the two sides meeting at St James' Park on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off) due to Southampton's involvement in the Europa League, McClaren believes the home crowd will help the Magpies. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, McClaren said (NUFCTV, paywall):

"No excuses. We're ready (for Southampton) and everyone's had the same (preparation).

"(Smiles) You're really cheering me up with these questions - first eight games and a Europa League team, thank you.

"Everybody has teams that this and teams that that and all the history and everything.

"It's a new game, it's a fresh game and it's a home game and we've got to take the game to Southampton and make sure we give the crowd something to cheer about and hopefully get the result."

McClaren also confirmed that new signings Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba, as well as captain Fabricio Coloccini, are in contention to play on Sunday.

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