Newcastle Players' Suits Are A "Statement Of Intent", Argues Paul Simpson

Newcastle United are a new-look club in more than one sense this season - and Paul Simpson believes that the Magpies players turning up to St James' Park before matches in suits shows a "statement of intent". Before their 2-2 draw against Southampton at home last weekend, the Newcastle squad turned up ahead of the game in various different suits - including Chancel Mbemba in full dinner dress - which is a change from previous regimes. And Newcastle's assistant head coach has explained the logic behind why suits have been introduced, believing they "make a statement that it's matchday" and that it makes the players look "more professional".

Speaking about the suits, Simpson told NUFCTV:

"We just think it's more professional (the players turning up in suits). We like the players turning up for home games in (them in) particular. "We understand that when you're going away from home tracksuits are probably more comfortable - but for home games we think turning up in suits, leaving the stadium in suits, it makes them look better. "I actually think - I know from my own playing days - that when you turn up in your suit it's a statement that it's a matchday. It's a proper working day and we're here to do business. "I think they look smart and it's also nice because at the moment they're wearing their own suits, there's no club suits - there's a bit of banter because there's people turning up in very different suits and everyone has a different dress sense. I think the point that they need to be worried is that if we like the suits they're wearing because they don't want us to be wearing their type of gear."

Although Newcastle currently do not have any official club suits, Simpson has suggested that further down the line they could be introduced in order to smarten the appearance of the players even more. And, when asked about Mbemba's unusual pre-game attire, Simpson saw the funny side of things. He continued:

"Without a doubt - he looked a million dollars turning up in full dinner suit. I thought he had a function to go that night! "Whether it was lost in translation I don't know, but he definitely looked the part and then he took that into the game as well because I thought he looked the part as well. "I think over the time we probably will try to introduce a club suit so that we have a - it sounds the wrong word to use - but so that we have a club "uniform" so that everyone turns up looking the business. "I always think it looks good when the whole team turn up and they look smart and I think it's a statement of intent, that's the way we look at it. But in the time being, while they keep turning up in their own suits, it can add a bit of banter and they can abuse each other for those things."

For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.