We were all surprised at Newcastle's pre-season fixtures in Scotland, suggesting it was the easy way out because the Magpies were hardly going to get a Premiership-style test against the likes of Third Division Rangers.
The players were hardly troubled, and Quinny suggests that backfired on Monday night.
Mick Quinn: "I don't expect Newcastle United to be better than Manchester City. Not these days, alas.
"I do, however, expect the players wearing that black-and-white jersey to be at least as sharp and fit as any team we play.
"Money can - and does - buy the best talent around. However, even with an output so far of zero pounds this summer, that doesn’t excuse the fact Newcastle were second best to Monday night’s opponents, and not only in terms of ability.
"We were slow to the ball, well off the pace and sluggish from the word go.
"That more than anything disappointed me.
I call it as I see it, and I’m not negative for the sake of negativity.
"There’s been too much of that this year. But as I watched City run rings around Newcastle, I did wonder what our players had been doing pre-season. We didn’t look fit enough. I would even suggest we were rusty.
"The players should have been going hell for leather, but instead they could have been two goals down within the first three minutes.
"I don’t understand that at all.
"Was the work done over the summer not good enough? Were the games arranged not suited for a Premier League side? Those questions crossed my mind on Monday evening.
"Whatever the reason, it wasn’t good enough.
"The manner of the defeat perplexed me. We never got into the game at all.
"Some players gave up and I realise that’s a harsh thing to say. They simply didn’t show enough pride.
"I won’t name and shame them, but they owe the supporters a big performance against West Ham on Saturday."
Newcastle United Fixtures ...
Saturday August 24
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v West Ham United
Wednesday August 28
19:45 League Cup - 2nd Rnd Morecambe v Newcastle United *Sky Sports
Saturday August 31
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v Fulham
Saturday September 14
15:00 Premier League Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Saturday September 21
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v
Hull City
Monday September 30
20:00 Premier League Everton v Newcastle United *Sky Sports
Premier League fixtures ...
Wednesday August 21
19:45 Chelsea v Aston Villa
Saturday August 24
12:45 Fulham v Arsenal
15:00 Everton v West Brom
15:00 Hull City v Norwich City
15:00 Newcastle United v West Ham United
15:00 Southampton v Sunderland
15:00 Stoke City v Crystal Palace
17:30 Aston Villa v Liverpool
Sunday August 25
16:00 Cardiff City v Manchester City
16:00 Tottenham v Swansea City
Monday August 26
20:00 Man Utd v Chelsea
NU-MAD - WE TELL IT AS IT IS!
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Squad Numbers ...
1 Krul, Timothy Michael
2 Coloccini, Fabricio
3 Santon, Davide
4 Cabaye, Yohan
6 Williamson, Michael James
7 Sissoko, Moussa
8 Anita, Vurnon San Benito
9 Cisse, Papiss Demba
10 Ben Arfa, Hatem
11 Gouffran, Yoan
13 Yanga-Mbiwa, Mapou
14 Remy, Loic
15 Gosling, Daniel
16 Taylor, Ryan Anthony
17 Amalfitano, Romain
18 Gutierrez, Jonas Manuel
19 Haidara, Massadio
20 Bigirimana, Gael
21 Elliot, Robert
22 Marveaux, Sylvain
23 Ameobi, Foluwashola
24 Tiote, Cheik Ismael
25 Obertan, Gabriel Antoine
26 Debuchy, Mathieu
27 Taylor, Steven Vincent
28 Ameobi, Samuel
29 Vuckic, Haris
33 Good, Curtis
34 Tavernier, James Henry
36 Dummett, Paul
41 Newton, Conor
42 Alnwick, Jak
44 Streete, Remie
49 Campbell, Adam