McClaren Relishing Early Fixtures Test

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Steve McClaren is relishing an early test against the best of the Barclays Premier League, after the 2015/16 fixtures were released on Wednesday morning.

Newcastle United start with a home fixture against last term's surprise package Southampton, on Saturday 8th August, before travelling to South Wales a week later to face a Swansea City side who achieved an eighth-place finish with the highest points tally in their history.

Following that, four of the Magpies' next six matches are against the 'big four' - Manchester United, Arsenal, champions Chelsea and Manchester City.

But McClaren is undaunted by that start, and is delighted to start his United tenure at St. James' Park.

"Last week I was appointed head coach and that was a great moment, but when you get the fixtures through it really hits home and creates that extra buzz and excitement," he told nufc.co.uk.

"We have a home game up first, which is always good.

"It is a home game against a top-eight side and a very good team. Southampton had a tremendous season and probably over-achieved from what they thought at the beginning, so it is certainly an exciting fixture for us.

"You want to test yourself against the best straight away, especially if you are ready.

"The first four (games) are key. Then the international break comes along, so you can have a breather and a break and have a look at things.

"But to have last season's top four inside those opening couple of months is going to be a real test, but one we will relish.

"It gives us a real edge going into our pre-season schedule, knowing that the work every day is vital and you have to be ready."

McClaren will have to wait until the third weekend of October for his first taste of Tyne-Wear derby action, when he takes Newcastle to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

The local derbies haven't been kind to United in recent years but the Club's new head coach is determined to put an immediate end to their losing streak against the Black Cats.

"I can't wait," he said of the derby, "and we will build up to the first one - away from home - in October.

"It's exciting. I experienced the local derbies of Sunderland against Middlesbrough (when Boro manager) but this is a little bigger and will be great to be a part of.

"I had a good record against Sunderland but that is not important now. It was a while ago. I am now head coach of Newcastle, we have lost the last five derbies and it is about time we reversed that."

And as McClaren casts his eye over the 2015/16 fixture list, does he plot targets?

"I used to do that, working out points for certain games and months, but not anymore," he explained.

"Instead, you have to go into every game preparing to win it and believing you can get three points every time you set foot on the pitch.

"If your preparation is right and you get the results then you move onto the next game and don't look any further forward than that.

"It's a cliché but we will take each match one at a time. The next thing to look forward to is the players coming back for pre-season and then we can really get going."

Season tickets for the 2015/16 campaign are now on general sale. To secure your seat at St. James' Park, click here.