17 Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs. Club Atlas

11. Maybe Vurnon Anita Won't Be The Answer To McClaren's Style Of Play

Last Friday against Gateshead, quite literally everything United did going forward started off with one of the centre backs receiving the ball in wide areas before ferrying it onto Vurnon within three touches. Newcastle tried to do the same again on Wednesday morning, but the harrying style of Atlas meant Anita didn't have the time on the ball that he did at the International Stadium. This saw him lose the ball far too often, misplacing many passes as well as getting caught in possession in really dangerous areas. Pretty much what we have come to expect from the now former Dutch international during his three years on Tyneside. The little terrier simply needs too much time on the ball to get his head up and see the next pass to set the black and whites away on their next attack. Maybe the quick thinking and fleet-footed Georginio Wijnaldum is the man for McClaren's double six formation. Club Atlas' style, and higher level of quality of play will be a lot closer to what The Magpies can expect from the majority of sides in the Premier League, which indicates Vurn may not be the answer he would have hoped to be. The central midfielder has come out and claimed the style of 'hoof ball' played under Alan Pardew and John Carver didn't play to his strengths and meant we haven't seen the best of him so far. Now that Steve is playing the brand of football that apparently suits him to the ground, Anita has no room for failure.