Transfer Rumours Steve McLaren won't stop sending me letters

Anyone else read into the part in bold that we aren't urgently looking for a couple of defenders still in this window.

Dear Jakarta Toon (or can I call you Jaky),

It’s great to be writing to you again with the season now upon us.

I’m absolutely delighted the Premier League is back. When you’re involved in the best league in the world, you feel the edge and anticipation that comes with a big game like ours tomorrow, but as well as that, I’m also very excited and very proud to be going into the season as head coach of Newcastle United.

We have already learned a lot during pre-season and that will continue over 90 minutes tomorrow against strong opposition. When you’re new to a club, you are working with your team for the first time in a league environment and it’s a very different type of pressure and intensity to pre-season. Whatever happens, we won’t be too carried away or too despondent in the dressing room.

As I’ve mentioned before, a new philosophy and a new style take time to evolve but I hope you will see the character and commitment you expect from the off. Each match over the first ten-game period will give us a real indication of where we are as a club and what we can accomplish this season and from there, we will continue to assess and develop.

The players are key to it all and I’m happy with what I see in the dressing room, both in terms of technical ability and attitude. We have a talented squad of players here and in Gini Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović and Chancel Mbemba, we have three top class additions to the first team which we plan to build on across a number of transfer windows. We have been patient so far and that will continue to have its rewards.

As well as new players, I was delighted that Fabricio Coloccini renewed his commitment to the club by signing a contract extension this week. I wanted Colo to stay here as captain and importantly, so did he. He has the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates in the dressing room, both as a player and as a leader.

Captains can lead teams in different ways. Some are vocal, they can be in players’ faces. Colo leads through his stature and the respect he has right across the club. When he does choose to speak, he has impact. He is usually very perceptive and he speaks with the benefit of tremendous experience.

To retain that is great news. It will be very positive for our younger players and will also help our new players.

They will all be in for a test tomorrow. Southampton were the surprise team in the Premier League last season and they will give us a tough first game but I’ll be happy to be in the home dugout rather than the away one.

I know that with your backing, St. James’ Park can be a wonderful place to be while also being a very, very difficult place to come for visiting clubs and their players. I’ve been in that away dugout and have seen it for myself.

We must turn St. James’ Park back into a fortress this season and I hope we can play our part in that by giving you something to sing about and something to rally behind, starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing and hearing you all alongside us.

Yours sincerely,
Steve McClaren
Head Coach
PS Can you lend me a fiver - Mike hasn't paid me my first month's salary yet?
PPS Can you also tell that Surprised Pervert guy that I don't like the fact he keeps harping on about Mr Pardew. He wasn't all that - how can any manager buy 5 left-backs and still not have a decent one left when he moves back home.

 

where is surprised p anyway. i didnt even see a team of his on FF

 

even though I had already turned the job down 4 times previously.......

 

Think he has gone the whole hog and only posts on the Crystal Palace board now.