A fortnight ago when Newcastle were getting thumped 5-1 by Crystal Palace and former manager Alan Pardew, there will have been a growing sense of doom around the Tyneside club.
Since the Londoner opted to leave St James’ Park after an eventful four years in charge, things have gone decidedly downhill for the team in black and white.
As such, with Pardew’s new club flying high and his old one dwindling, the Newcastle fans could not be blamed for having a think back and regretting wishing for the departure of their former manager.
However, over the last two games the North East club have given themselves a fighting chance of making a move up the table with two unexpected wins.
Firstly, the St James’ hosts managed to nullify an in-form Liverpool side and scrape a 2-0 home victory. Then, even more impressively, Newcastle came from a goal down to beat Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane and end their opponents’ 14-match Premier League unbeaten run.
When looking at the fixture list these two would have been games that not many (if any) points were expected from, and as such there must be a feeling of renewed confidence at the club.
Although ultimately it is players that decide results, Steve McClaren must be given real credit for his role in helping Newcastle to six points and subsequently lifting his side out of the relegation places.
The former England manager has not had an easy ride of it so far at the Tyneside club, but has showed fortitude and a willingness to dig deep despite tough conditions. Given the nature of the demise of the team’s fortunes in the second half of last season, whoever got the nod to succeed John Carver was always going to be faced with an uphill task.
The squad lacks real quality in key areas, while the team’s defence has been suspect in the early weeks of the new campaign. Add to this injuries to key players and it is fair to state that McClaren has mitigating circumstances with which to explain the team’s poor start to 2015/16.
Over the last couple of weeks the former Twente boss has made a number of brave selection decisions and also inspired his team to exert more effort and energy than they have been in prior fixtures. It was the manager’s steadfastness that allowed Newcastle to resist an early onslaught from Liverpool and go on to win.
McClaren’s substitutions proved key in the win over Spurs, with both attacking additions from the bench, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez, getting on the scoresheet.
The pair look like the ideal offensive partnership for the Magpies, with McClaren’s tact in dealing with the duo key to Newcastle’s survival hopes.
Although he may not be the most charismatic or inspiring manager, McClaren has shown through the course of his career on various benches that he has tactical nous and can coach at the top level.
Newcastle fans may not be entirely enamoured with his appointment, but the English coach will have a massive say in the side’s season and deserves respect after a recent upturn in fortunes.
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