It has been a change in manager and a reshuffle of the squad over the summer for Newcastle United, but a host of the same problems that plagued the second half of last season remain for the Tyneside club.
The summer splurging on the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Georginio Wijnaldum has justifiably created a bit of excitement amongst the St James’ Park faithful, but Steve McClaren has a lot of work to do if the Toon Army are to be happy with this season’s showings.
Despite all three of the major signings having the potential to be mainstays in the Newcastle team, this term the club must rely on a number of the existing players to lead by example.
A midfield pairing of Vurnon Anita and Jack Colback looks hard-working and able, while Fabricio Coloccini and Moussa Sissoko continue to be important players for the North East club.
However, one man that the Tyneside club’s fans can expect more from after a slow start to the season is Daryl Janmaat.
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Signed last summer as a like-for-like replacement for Arsenal-bound Mathieu Debuchy, the Dutchman was a rare bright spark for the club in 2014-15 and fitted into English football seamlessly.
The right-back arrived with a burgeoning reputation from Feyenoord and the Netherlands international set-up, with his performances for Newcastle only adding to his standing in the game.
However, at the start of this season, Janmaat has not looked up to the same standard as the one that impressed the St James’ Park fanbase last term.
An incredibly stupid sending off against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium all-but gave the Welsh side victory and will have been bitterly disappointing for McClaren and the travelling support.
The 26-year-old was up against the in-form Jefferson Montero, but a player of the defender’s experience and ability should have performed with more professionalism than the reckless collection of two avoidable yellow cards.
Examining Janmaat in Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Monday night, the Dutchman looked like a player that was not brimming with confidence or self-belief and someone who was maybe not particularly happy in his football.
The slick distribution on show last year or the tireless work-rate was not evident, with the defender again not putting in a great performance by any means.
New Hammers signing Victor Moses had something of a field day up against the full-back, with Janmaat struggling to contain the Chelsea loanee.
Despite his strong performances last season for the Tyneside outfit, Newcastle fans will have lifted the bar of expectations surrounding Janmaat to the next level and expect him to be a major player for the team in 2015-16.
His early-season performances have not suggested that the Netherlands international is ready for that responsibility and as such one of McClaren’s biggest challenges this term will be getting the best out of the right-back.
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