That is the way NUFC works these days ... and McClaren doesn't even have the title "manager".
He does what he is told; players come and go and he doesn't have much of an opinion.
We don't even know how much input he puts into team selection.
McClaren has revealed, though, that there could have been further movement before the transfer window had another of his players departed.
Papiss Cisse, who could replace suspended Mitrovic on Monday, is known to have been a target of Galatasaray on the eve of the deadline but a fee could not be reached. Had that gone through Newcastle were in the market for Hamburg’s Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
“I think we have got four strikers here,” said McClaren, who reported a clean bill of health for his squad with the exception of Paul Dummett.
“It was a question that if we lost one, then yeah maybe. But I think four is enough, give me five and I don’t sleep at night, with four I even struggle. Give me three quality ones.
“So I think we have got the players here that can score, not just strikers but wide players now with Ayo Perez, Florian Thauvin, Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum can score from midfield. We are just not seeing it at the moment.”
Former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is in contention to play for West Ham on Monday, Bilic has confirmed. When McClaren was asked if he was interested in Carroll during the summer he simply said “no”.
Slaven Bilic could hand debuts to a trio of deadline-day signings when West Ham entertain Newcastle on Monday evening.
Wingers Michail Antonio and Victor Moses are in contention as is striker Nikica Jelavic but Alex Song, who signed for a second successive loan spell, is absent with an ankle problem.
Club-record signing Andy Carroll could make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury, with Mauro Zarate touch and go following a hamstring issue and Enner Valencia (knee) and Joey O'Brien (calf) absent.
West Ham (from): Adrian, Randolph, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell, Hendrie, Jenkinson, Oxford, Noble, Obiang, Kouyate, Payet, Antonio, Moses, Lanzini, Maiga, Zarate, Sakho, Carroll, Jelavic
Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren will be without striker Aleksandar Mitrovic through suspension.
The Serbia international serves the first leg of a three-match ban after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin.
McClaren otherwise has no fresh selection problems, although defender Paul Dummett has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Newcastle (from): Krul, Darlow, Elliot, Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Taylor, Lascelles, Williamson, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Wijnaldum, Sissoko, Thauvin, De Jong, Colback, Obertan, Aarons, Gouffran, Cisse, Perez.
WEST HAM UNITED - BOLEYN GROUND
DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING
Directions from the M25:
Travel to M25 Junction 27, and go on to the M11 southbound. Follow the M11 south until it divides to join the A406 (North Circular Road). Take the Left Hand fork signposted A406 South. Do not follow the signs for the City.
The end of the motorway joins the A406 from the left, creating a 4 lane road for a short distance. You need to be in one of the outside 2 lanes (this can be tricky if traffic is heavy). Proceed south (dual carriageway with slip roads) passing the junctions for Redbridge, and Ilford.
Leave the A406 at the Barking junction. At the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road, turn right, taking the 3rd exit towards East Ham (Barking Road). Proceed West along Barking Road through several sets of traffic lights until you have passed the lights at East Ham Town Hall (big red Victorian building on the left just before the lights). 3/4 mile further, you pass the ground on your right (behind a parade of shops, including the Hammers Shop). At the next lights (Boleyn Arms Pub on right hand corner), turn right into Green Street. The main entrance to the ground is 200 yards on your right. Thanks to Gareth Howell for providing the directions.
On Saturday matchdays, parking is very restricted with little or no off-road parking. The best areas to look for spaces are roads left off Barking Road, once you are past the lights at East Ham Town Hall. Andy Wright suggests; 'You can park at Newham General Hospital, where there is a pay and display car park, which costs £2 for three hours, or £4 for six. To find the hospital; From Barking Road, passing the ground on your right, after a few traffic lights turn left into Prince Regent Lane (Newham General is signposted at the lights), the hospital is just up this road and is about a 15 minute stroll away from the ground'.
Rob Wells adds; 'As a season ticket holder who travels to home games from Nottingham I can offer an alternative route from the M11 to avoid the nightmare of Barking Road on a Saturday. After leaving the M11 on the A406 take the exit for A12 signposted Stratford. Stay on this road taking the underpass to the Green Man roundabout, which is a major junction. Then take the A11, again signposted Stratford. After about three miles turn left onto the A112 signposted East Ham, through Plaistow. Carry on over the junction with Barking Road (A124). Third left after this junction is Glen Road, which takes you to the aforementioned Newham Hospital for parking. I find this journey a lot easier, although not recommended for midweek matches as the traffic gets too heavy'.
Whilst Alex Stewart suggests an alternative route; 'come off the M25 at J29 and take the A127 to Upminster. Park at Upminster tube station (£2 for the day) and you can get a return ticket to Upton Park which will get you there in less than 25 minutes' (Cost £8 return adults, under 16's go free). Chris Ackrill agrees; 'I've experimented over several years with various routes to the stadium, and my conclusion is that it saves time and frustration by parking well in the suburbs and getting a tube. Getting anywhere near the ground by road can easily add on an hour, and it'll be the hardest hour's drive you've ever had. Things are no better on Sundays either'.
Post Code for SAT NAV: E13 9AZ
BY TRAIN OR LONDON UNDERGROUND TUBE
The nearest tube station is Upton Park which is on the District, plus the Hammersmith & City Lines. The station is a short walk from the ground. Please note that West Ham tube station is nowhere near the ground. Steve Cook adds; 'the queue at Upton Park tube station after the game can be horrendous. You are better off going for a couple of pints and letting the queues die down. There are plenty of pubs along Plaistow High Road which are only a 5-10 minute walk from the stadium and as long as visitors are 'well behaved' they are more than made welcome'. Adam Long a visiting Reading fan informs me; 'After the game you are probably best to walk up to East Ham, which will at least mean you will get a seat, before everyone else gets on at Upton Park'. Craig Belcher a visiting West Brom fan adds; 'Rather than face the long queues at Upton Park, we walked down to the next station on the line, Plaistow, which is only a ten minute walk away from Upton Park. We managed to get on a tube okay, as apparently according to station staff the tubes are not filled to full capacity on leaving Upton Park''. Just turn left after Upton Park station, into Harold Road. Walk down to the end of this road (it becomes Terrace Road) and then bear left into Pelly Road/Clegg St. At the bottom of Clegg Street is a T-junction with Plaistow High Street. Turn right into the High Street and Plaistow station is further down on the left.
Whilst Andrew Saffrey suggests; 'Forest Gate station is about 25 minutes walk from Upton Park, and it's much less busy than Upton Park Station after the final whistle. It is served by local Great Eastern trains from Liverpool Street. Turn right out of the station, then left at the corner next to the pizza shop into Hampton Road. Walking down Hampton Road, turn first right into Richmond Road, a small street with traffic calming and lots of roundabouts. Go straight down this road and this eventually becomes Green Street. Then for the long walk down Green Street which has lots of shops and takeaways, before arriving at Upton Park'.
PUBS FOR AWAY FANS
Kevin Hosking informs me; 'Probably the best option for away fans is the Wetherspoon outlet called Millers Well which is opposite East Ham Town Hall. It is though about a twenty minute walk away along Barking Road (although it may be an idea to travel to East Ham tube station before the game, go to the pub and then walk on to the stadium). Another good option is the Denmark Arms also on the Barking Road near the East Ham Town Hall; this is a large pub which shows all live football games'.
Peter Bennett a visiting Newcastle fan adds; 'We had a drink in safety in the Queens on Green Street'. This pub is also near to Upton Park Underground Station (as you come out of the station turn right and the pub is down on the right).
Most of the other pubs around the ground are very partisan, and are for home supporters only. The Boleyn Pub on the corner near to the ground, plus the Greengate, Wine Bar and Village pubs all on Barking Road should all be given a wide berth by away fans.
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR AWAY FANS?
Away fans are housed in one end, in the lower tier of the relatively modern Sir Trevor Brooking Stand. The usual allocation for away supporters is 2,200, but if demand requires, away fans can be allocated the whole of the lower tier of the North Stand, where up to 3,600 supporters can be accommodated. The ground is compact, with the fans are seated close to the pitch. This coupled with the passionate support of the West Ham faithful can make for a vibrant atmosphere. However this can be intimidating for away supporters, so exercise caution around the ground. If you find yourself seated on the far left of the away section (towards the East Stand) then as the pitch is situated towards the West Stand, you may experience some sight difficulties of the action going on, in and around the corner on the other side.
I personally enjoyed my visit and it is certainly not as bad as it was a few years ago and the West Ham fans can still give rendition of their club anthem 'I'm forever blowing bubbles..' I was though surprised to see the local Metropolitan Police erecting portable metal detectors outside the entrance to the away turnstiles. They then subsequently announced that it was a condition of entry into the stadium to pass through a detector, if instructed to do so by a Police officer. Charming! My mate was convinced that the metal plate in his arm was going to set them off (he had a bad accident some years ago), but alas the officers waved us by without going through them. The turnstiles do not have human operators, so entrance is gained by putting your ticket into a bar code reader.
Inside the ground the stewards were fine, however the concourse is somewhat cramped, which leads to somewhat of a scrum at half time. There are flat screen tv's on the concourse to keep fans entertained. Food on offer includes a range of Peter's Pies; Chicken Curry, Steak, Meat and Potato, Cheese and Onion Pastie and large Sausage Rolls (all £3.30). Burgers and Herta Hot Dogs are also available (£3.80). Alcohol is also served but is rather pricey and no draught is available, so it is either cans or plastic bottles; Carlsberg £4 (500ml bottle), Tetley's Bitter £4 (440ml can), Magners Cider £4.20 (330ml bottle), Guinness £4.20 (520ml can) and Red or White wine (187ml) £4.
NEWCASTLE UTD 0 ARSENAL 1
1. Tim Krul
22. Daryl Janmaat
18. Chancel Mbemba
2. Fabricio Coloccini
19. Massadio Haidara
8. Vurnon Anita 72'
4. Jack Colback
7. Moussa Sissoko 78'
5. Georginio Wijnaldum
20. Florian Thauvin 87'
45. Aleksandar Mitrovic
Subs
9. Papiss Cisse 78'
10. Siem de Jong 87'
14. Gabriel Obertan
17. Ayoze Perez 72'
24. Cheick Tiote
26. Karl Darlow
27. Steven Taylor
Fabricio Coloccini's own goal handed Arsenal a hard-fought victory at Newcastle after controversial striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off just 16 minutes into the game.
The Serbia international, who has now picked up two bookings and a sending-off in his first five appearances for the club, received a straight red card from referee Andre Marriner after catching Francis Coquelin with an over-the-ball challenge in front of a crowd of 50,388 at St James' Park.
Arsenal, who had already started the better, dominated the game from then on, although it took a deflection off Coloccini to steer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's 52nd-minute effort in off the post to claim the points.
Arsene Wenger's defensive problems eased slightly before kick-off when he was able to name Laurent Koscielny in his starting line-up following his recovery from a back injury, while he preferred Theo Walcott to Olivier Giroud in attack.
Opposite number Steve McClaren restored the bulk of the men rested for the midweek cup-tie against Northampton with the inclusion of Daryl Janmaat and Florian Thauvin the only changes to the side which started the 0-0 league draw at Manchester United.
But his game-plan was ripped apart within 16 minutes when referee Marriner interpreted Mitrovic's challenge on Coquelin as a red card offence and dismissed him, much to the Serbian's astonishment and the horror of his team-mates.
The official's standing on Tyneside plummeted further when, having already booked Moussa Sissoko for a foul on Nacho Monreal, he swiftly added Chancel Mbemba and Thauvin to his collection, although none of them could have any real complaint.
However, he might have angered the locals further had he spotted Thauvin's 13th-minute trip on Hector Bellerin inside the box.
Most of what football there was before the break was played by the Gunners, although Newcastle's commendable organisation kept them in a game in which they were on the back foot from the off.
Keeper Tim Krul had to come smartly from his line to block Walcott's shot from Bellerin's volleyed ninth-minute cross, and the Dutchman was relieved to see the England striker fire wastefully wide of the target after he could only parry Alexis Sanchez's drive 13 minutes before the break.
But the Holland international was finally beaten seven minutes after the restart when, after Santi Cazorla's initial effort had been blocked, he palmed away Aaron Ramsey's follow-up only to see Oxlade-Chamberlain rifle home with the help of a deflection off Coloccini and the inside of the far post.
Krul enjoyed better fortune when he pushed away Sanchez's 58th-minute strike from close-range and then claimed Cazorla's snapshot at the second attempt.
The Magpies repeatedly tried to hit the visitors on the break with midfielder Thauvin attempting to lead the line, but they found themselves largely camped deep inside their own half and Krul had to deny substitute Giroud, Cazorla and Monreal before his day was done.
THE TOON'S GREATEST 100 PLAYERS ... EVER!
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Toons-Greatest-Players-EVER/dp/132629685X
This book is a collection of the 100 Greatest Newcastle United players of all time, as voted for by NewcastleUtd-Mad.co.uk readers and a panel of journalists who contribute to the website. The players are in an order of five-per-chapter, counting down from 100 to Newcastle United's greatest ever player (as viewed by the author), but the whole point of the book is for YOU (the reader) to decide who goes where. The list is not, by any means, definitive. As with all books of this nature, whether it be "Greatest Albums"; "Best Movies Of All Time"; or "Top 100 Pin-Ups Of The Year" ... no two people have exactly the same opinion. There will be controversy over who is on the list, and chances are, more controversy over who is not. Here are the best of the best. I have painted the picture with each player's profile. Where they end up in the league of NUFC's Greatest is up to you. Because YOU have the final word.
Otherwise ... if you want a signed copy (for a birthday, etc) for £9.95 and no postage ... you can meet me before a match and I will bring a copy along.
Get in touch: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
NEWCASTLE UTD 4 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Darlow, Janmaat, Lascelles, Williamson, Haidara (78' Toney), Tiote, Gouffran, Aarons, de Jong, Thauvin (65' Mitrovic), Perez (72' Colback).
Subs: Dummett, Wijnaldum, Mbemba, Elliot.
Florian Thauvin announced himself on Tyneside in style as he put League Two Northampton to the sword to book Newcastle's place in the third round of the Capital One Cup.
The £13million winger opened the scoring on his first start for the club, and then provided the ammunition for Siem De Jong, Daryl Janmaat and Mike Williamson to secure a 4-1 victory at St James' Park with Marc Richards' 10th-minute penalty having briefly given the League Two side hope.
It was a first win of the season for new manager Steve McClaren, and while there are sterner tests to come, Thauvin's contribution and those of De Jong and Ayoze Perez in particular in front of a delighted crowd of 26,923 will have provided encouragement.
Newcastle have publicly reversed their recent domestic cup policy this season and McClaren insisted in the run-up to the game that he would field his "strongest team possible", although in the event, he made nine changes to the side which drew 0-0 at Manchester United on Saturday.
That included Thauvin's full debut and yet another return from injury for luckless midfielder De Jong, who was handed the captain's armband, and the pair were to make almost immediate impacts.
The game was less than three minutes old when the Frenchman stretched out a leg at the far post to turn home Massadio Haidara's cross, and just five more minutes had elapsed when De Jong rose to glance Thauvin's inswinging free-kick past goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.
However, the visitors were quite literally handed a lifeline when Rod McDonald's header from Adam Yates' free-kick struck Cheick Tiote's arm and referee David Coote pointed straight to the spot to hand Cobblers skipper Richards the chance to level, and he did not pass it up.
Richards headed just wide at the near-post seven minutes later with Town taking advantage of Newcastle's carelessness, although the Premier League outfit might have wrapped up victory by half-time with Clarke saving twice from Perez and blocking an injury-time effort from De Jong, who had earlier headed wide from close range.
Yoan Gouffran whipped a shot into the side-netting from Perez's 49th-minute lay-off as the Magpies attempted to kill the tie off, and they extended their lead with 56 minutes gone when Perez, De Jong and Thauvin combined before full-back Janmaat ran on to the Frenchman's beautiful reverse pass to beat the keeper.
The contest was effectively over seven minutes later when Williamson converted another Thauvin free-kick with an unopposed header, and McClaren withdrew the former Marseille winger to warm applause as Aleksandar Mitrovic joined the fray.
Chris Wilder's men, who had fought gamely throughout, continued to do so all the way to the whistle, but to no avail.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fri 10th July (8pm BST)
Gateshead FC 0 Newcastle Utd 1 (Cisse pen)
(First half): Darlow, Janmaat, Haidara, Lascelles, Williamson, Anita, Colback, Gouffran, Cisse, Sissoko, De Jong. (Second half): Woodman, Bigirimana, Satka, Good, Ferguson, Tiote, Obertan, Aarons, Perez, Armstrong, Riviere.
Tue 14th July (8pm CT)
Club Atlas (MEX) 2 Newcastle Utd 1 (Sissoko)
Krul (Darlow 46); Janmaat (Bigirimana 72), Williamson, Lascelles, Haidara (Ferguson 72); Anita, Colback; Sissoko (Obertan 72), de Jong (Perez 72), Gouffran (Aarons 72); Cisse (Armstrong 72).
Sat 18th July (8pm UTC)
Sacramento Republic FC (USA) 0 Newcastle Utd 1 (og)
Krul (Woodman 46), Janmaat, Williamson, Lascelles (Taylor 46), Haïdara, Anita, Colback, Sissoko, Obertan (Aarons 69), de Jong (Perez 69), Cissé (Wijnaldum 69).
Tue 21st July (7.30pm UTC)
Portland Timbers (USA) 4 Newcastle Utd 3 (Wijnaldum, Aarons 2)
Darlow (Woodman 46), Bigirimana, Satka, Ferguson, Aarons; Abeid (Anita 65), Wijnaldum (Janmaat 46), Gouffran (De Jong 76), Sissoko (Obertan 46), Ayoze, Cisse (Armstrong 46).
Sun 26th July (1pm BST)
Sheffield United 2 Newcastle Utd 2 (Wijnaldum, de Jong)
Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Taylor (Lascelles 69), Haïdara, Anita (Obertan 59), Colback, Sissoko (Abeid 80), Wijnaldum (De Jong 73), Perez (Aarons 45), Cissé (Armstrong 80)
Wed 29th July (7.45pm BST)
York City 2 Newcastle Utd 1 (Perez)
Darlow (Elliot HT); Bigirimana, Lascelles, Satka, Ferguson; Abeid, Gouffran; Aarons (Kemen 59), De Jong, Perez; Mitrovic (Suddick 70)
Sat 1st August (3pm BST)
Newcastle Utd 0 Borussia Mönchengladbach 1
Krul, Janmaat (Mbemba 62), Williamson, Taylor, Haïdara, Anita (De Jong 75), Colback, Sissoko (Perez 81), Obertan (Aarons 62), Wijnaldum, Cissé (Mitrovic 62).
Sunday August 9
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 SOUTHAMPTON 2 (Cisse, Wijnaldum)
Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara; Colback, Anita (Tiote, 67); Sissoko, Wijnaldum (De Jong, 81), Obertan; Cisse (Mitrovic, 75). Subs not used: Darlow, Taylor, Aarons, Perez.
Saturday August 15
SWANSEA CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Sissoko (45' Taylor), Wijnaldum, Obertan (82' Mitrovic), Cisse (54' Aarons). Subs: Williamson, Perez, Tiote, Darlow
Saturday August 22
MANCHESTER UTD 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Krul, Mbemba, Taylor, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Perez (78' Tiote), Wijnaldum, Obertan (69' Thauvin), Mitrovic (88' Cisse).
Subs: Williamson, de Jong, Aarons, Darlow
Tuesday August 26
NEWCASTLE UTD 4 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 (Thauvin, Janmaat, de Jong, Williamson
Darlow, Janmaat, Lascelles, Williamson, Haidara (78' Toney), Tiote, Gouffran, Aarons, de Jong, Thauvin (65' Mitrovic), Perez (72' Colback).
Subs: Dummett, Wijnaldum, Mbemba, Elliot.
Saturday August 29
NEWCASTLE UTD 0 ARSENAL 1
Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita (72' Perez), Sissoko (78' Cisse), Wijnaldum, Thauvin (87' de Jong), Mitrovic
Subs: Obertan, Tiote, Darlow, Taylor
Monday September 14
20:00 West Ham United v Newcastle United
Saturday September 19
15:00 Newcastle United v Watford
Wednesday September 23
19:45 Newcastle United v Sheffield Wednesday (League Cup)
Saturday September 26
17:30 Newcastle United v Chelsea