grecIAN Harris
Very well known Exeweb poster
He didn't exactly have a team of top notch Championship players at Derby, much like heasn't got a team of top notch Premier League players at Newcastle (although it could be suggested he has more at the higher end of the range at Newcastle than he did at Derby) but the machine was greater than the sum of it's parts because McLaren knew how to get the best out of them.I'm basing my prediction as much on the players he has available as his abilities as a manager. He is a very decent Championship manager and could, at the right club be a fairly good manager in the Premier League. Newcastle have way too many players just jogging along, and will rely on players like Mitrovic and Cabella to change games, players who have little experience of carrying any team. Once results don't go the way of the Geordie faithful, who have as ever become overly optimistic because of a few signs of improvement, the myth of McLaren's reputation as a failure at the highest level will weigh heavy on players and fans. He will become stroppy and fall out with Ashley, because he is always looking to his next club when things aren't perfect. Voila.
I should really write novels.
I do honestly rate Sissoko and Tiote, but they are not consistent enough to be leaders in a team which desperately needs someone like Cabaye at the heart of it.