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McClaren Undeterred By 'Painful' Process
Written by Newcastle Utd
Head coach Steve McClaren is determined to keep calm despite a poor start to the 2015/16 campaign
By Dominic Scurr
Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren is determined to keep calm despite a poor start to the 2015/16 campaign.
The Magpies are without a win in the Premier League so far this season and after their midweek Capital One Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday, will be hoping to get a first taste of league success sooner rather than later.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's home clash with champions Chelsea, McClaren feels recent results are a consequence of the transformation that is currently taking place on Tyneside.
"We're going through change, and change is painful," he explained.
"This Club and this team has won five games in 32. Everyone has been clamouring for change - that's what we're doing and that's why we're here.
"We have to change a lot; philosophy, culture, standards, training and some people adapt quickly to that and some don't, but it's necessary.
"We're changing our style of play, we want to be possession-based, we want to be attacking and that way can be hard for the players, but when it works it's good and it's very effective.
"At the moment we're seeing it in training but we're just struggling at times to transfer it onto the field."
McClaren also feels United's transitional period will require patience from everyone involved with the Club.
"In football you have to be brave and you have to show belief and that's what we have to work on," continued the former England manager.
"Five wins in 32 does not bring confidence to a club and we have to change that. It takes time and it can be painful but we have to control it. It's a process we have to get on with but you can't rush it.
"You'd like it to be quick and say in three months that's the finished article and the team's playing exactly how I want them to play, but they're not and that will take time.
"It won't be easy and it won't happen in three months, you have to stick to your philosophy and that's what we're doing and the players are buying into that.
"To get success sometimes you have to go through painful times, but when we get it right, it'll be very good.
"While it's painful and there's ups and downs - two steps forward, five back - we've got to stick to our course and be strong. We go on and eventually we'll turn it around."