Steve McClaren Identifies Exactly What Newcastle Need To Improve On

Steve McClaren believes there were many positives to take out of Newcastle United's defeat to Club Atlas - but believes his side must learn to "compete" and be "better without the ball". The Magpies succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Miller Park in Milwaukee in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with Moussa Sissoko's strike on half-time proving to be merely a consolation after Newcastle found themselves two goals in arrears just 17 minutes in. Head coach McClaren did reveal that he was impressed by the "spirit and bravery" his players displayed in order to get back into the contest after falling behind early on, but there were things they needed to improve upon.

The Magpies boss has also identified key areas in which he wants to see his side develop over the coming days and weeks of pre-season. Speaking to nufcTV, McClaren said after the Atlas defeat:

"I didn't think in the first-half we were very good without the ball. I thought they were very aggressive. "They won duels, they won more tackles than us, they broke the play more than us and at half-time we said: 'Look after yourselves but, hey, you have to compete.' "Once they did that in the second-half there was only one team in it. "(I was) disappointed with the goals, disappointed - we need to be a better team without the ball. We were in the second-half; we pushed on and pressed more compact, better shape, and dominated the game from then."

Despite identifying areas in which Newcastle could improve upon the next few weeks, McClaren was also keen to point out the "bravery" his players had shown in defeat. Interestingly, McClaren also believes the players are starting to take his new coaching and playing philosophy on board - something that has been evident against both Gateshead and Atlas. He continued:

"There were signs that the players are taking on board what the coaches are asking them to do which is encouraging. They were brave and encouraged to play. "As I say, we need to improve without the ball and be a better team. We did in the second-half and we need to continue that."

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