Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Taylor (Lascelles 69), Haïdara, Anita (Obertan 59), Colback, Sissoko (Abeid 80), Wijnaldum (De Jong 73), Perez (Aarons 45), Cissé (Armstrong 80)
As the glamour sides of the Premier League such as Man City were playing against Real Madrid, and Theo Walcott scoring the only goal as Arsenal beat Wolfsburg to win the Emirates Cup ... Newcastle continue their pre-season playing the likes of Gateshead, Sheffield United and York City.
Bad planning? The States was more a bonding trip, and a chance for 'Wally' to take a look at the players he has on offer.
But Sheffield Utd and York City? FFS!
We will be thrust into the new season in the Premier League having played teams full of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.
Bad prep? We will see on the opening day against Southampton.
This was a testimonial match for Blades stalwart Chris Morgan, a current coach and former defender for the club, and Steve McClaren's men twice took the lead, but were twice pegged back.
Georginio Wijnaldum, the £14.5million midfielder prised from PSV earlier this summer, scored the opener for Newcastle, netting for the second time in as many appearances.
He reacted quickest in the 40th minute to bury the rebound point blank after Papiss Cisse's initial shot was parried.
The hosts equalised early in the second-half through Marc McNulty, the 22-year-old striker exchanging slick passes with Che Adams before sliding the ball into the net.
Siem de Jong, on as as a substitute, then headed Newcastle back in front from a Jack Colback corner, but Welsh defender Kieron Freeman's superb long-range strike ensured a draw.
Morgan, who spent nine years as a Blades player, came on for the final few minutes against Newcastle.
While there were certainly flashes of promising play from Newcastle, after conceding their eighth goal in their last four pre-season games, the need for a new centre-back is becoming increasingly clear.
Newcastle have agreed to sign Congo defender Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht, but the deal cannot be finalised until he has secured a visa to work in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, club captain Fabricio Coloccini missed the trip to Yorkshire with injury.
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 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 at Bootham Crescent
Sat 1st August (3pm BST)
Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER) at St. James’ Park
PREMIER LEAGUE
Sunday August 9
13:30 Newcastle United v Southampton
Saturday August 15
15:00 Swansea City v Newcastle United
Saturday August 22
12:45 Man Utd v Newcastle United
Saturday August 29
12:45 Newcastle United v Arsenal
Monday September 14
20:00 West Ham United v Newcastle United
Saturday September 19
15:00 Newcastle United v Watford
Saturday September 26
17:30 Newcastle United v Chelsea