5 things we learned from Saturday's action in the English Premier League

None of the big dogs were in action on Saturday in the Premier League, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable. There were goals galore and much to get thrilled about. The expectation of an upset wasn’t there, but this was a clear opportunity for all to see what the ‘pretenders’ had up their sleeves.Could Spurs start off their campaign after a not so lucky start at Old Trafford? Could Swansea build on their opening day point at the home of the champions? Could Newcastle carry on from their fine performance at home to Southampton and could the Saints themselves pick up the momentum after the return of Roald Koeman?There were questions aplenty. But did we get all the answers we were looking for? We certainly did get a few. Let’s start off with them.

#1 Steve McClaren has a long way to go before he can bring a feel good factor at Newcastle

Steve McClaren needs to up his game.

3 wins in 21 Premier League games. That’s Newcastle for you in the year 2015. That record doesn't only shout relegation but also disheartens the most loyal of supporters. 

If even an essence of hope was rekindled last week with their performance against Southampton, it was quickly put to rest at the Liberty stadium. A goal down before the match clock even hit ten minutes and a man down before the game was even an half-an-hour old. With Swansea flying high and the Newcastle team again showing glimpses of the haplessness that had driven the Toon Army mad, the result was nothing but a foregone conclusion the moment Daryl Janmaat was sent packing for his ineptness at handling the speed and guile of Jefferson Montero.

Newcastle have invested for sure, but they still need more players even if they want to even grace mid-table. Janmaat’s dismissal proved how threadbare their squad is at the moment. They neither had the resources to pull the Dutch international early from the game nor replace him with a genuine wing-back after he was dismissed. Their defence, which was the second-worst  after QPR last season still gives away goals like an enraged wife gives away her husband's belongings to charity.

The fixtures don’t get any easier for them in the coming weeks with a visit to Old Trafford lined up next week; followed by an Arsenal visit to St. James’ Park. It won’t really surprise me if they were dumped in the bottom three after the month of September.