STEVE MCCLAREN admits Newcastle's problems have hit him hard.
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| Newcastle's Steve McClaren have taken a backwards step picking up just one of a possible nine points |
His struggling side face leaders Arsenal today, entrenched in the relegation zone after picking up just one point out of nine over Christmas.
All season McClaren has tried to put on a brave front, accentuating the positive, dismissing talk of a crisis and predicting brighter times ahead.
But beneath that upbeat exterior is a man suffering the same way he did during his traumatic spell in charge of England.
"I've been here before and I still don't like it,' he said. "I never liked it before and I still don't like it now. It frustrates, annoys, angers, disappoints but it's no good doing nothing about it. We're working hard to change things and keep plugging away."
McClaren met up with the club's managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr on Wednesday to discuss their recruitment plans for the month ahead.
The Magpies boss has been told not to publicly discuss transfer policy, although it is an open secret a striker is at the top of their January shopping list.
McClaren's own position was under review before wins against Liverpool and Tottenham and he accepts it will be again if the current slump continues.
"We are going to stick it out and fight," he said. "I never become a pessimist. Over the years, I've had many a nightmare first half but the second half has been terrific and a turnaround. That's the kind of thing we need - and we expect."
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| Mesut Ozil's solid displays have helped Arsenal lead the way, winning 12 of 19 games played |
How they could do with a magician such as Mesut Ozil today. Arsenal players only have to lock eyes with the Germany international and he instinctively knows where to pass the ball, according to team-mate Theo Walcott.
Ozil, 27, has been a revelation in recent weeks, lifting Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with a series of goals and assists.
His ability to put in his team-mates in particular has been exemplary and his tally of 16 assists is eight more than any of his current Premier League rivals. With half of the season still to go, he is only four shy of the all-time Premier League record of 20 held by Thierry Henry.
In the last game alone, he set up a record nine goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates, with Walcott one of the main beneficiaries.
"Mesut has told me to just keep making runs, he just spots it. I need to help out by putting them in," said Walcott. "Mesut is just in the form of his life, he is just a special player. Some of the things you see on the pitch, his last goal against Bournemouth alone... He didn't break stride and it was like he was jogging.
"He just slows things down when he is playing. The finish was class.
"And being a left-footer, he makes that movement from out to in and makes the bend of the ball. You just have to make eye contact and once you get that he knows where you're going to go."
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