Hutchinson questions whether McClaren is the right man for Newcastle

De Jong was kept on the bench until the 81st minute during Saturday’s abject 3-0 home defeat against Leicester.

It is a risky strategy given the long-standing problems motivating the Newcastle dressing room, but supporters will back McClaren’s confrontational stance as they are also sick and exhausted of putting up with half-hearted displays from the same group of players who have been under-achieving for months.

Newcastle do sit outside the relegation zone, one point ahead of Sunderland and Bournemouth, but have just two wins to their name all season.

In the run up to the game on Saturday we’ll hear a lot about Alan Pardew and how he was the best thing since sliced bread for Newcastle but really, his record for the past year was shocking barring that mini-run up to Christmas. It was hard and the pitch was a little bit bad but I’m happy to play.

And his patience is set to snap if he carries on being a fringe figure.

Steve McClaren is reportedly eyeing three new faces in the January transfer window.

“I’m not saying that I necessarily think the club should dispense with McClaren’s services, although there have to be some concerns there about whether he is the right man to lead Newcastle”.

According to the Daily Telegraph, McClaren and his coaching staff have had a series of clashes with a number of players this week.

De Jong, who joined the Magpies from Ajax in the summer of 2014, has been restricted to a smattering of substitute appearances in the Premier League so far this season, with the likes of Aleksandr Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez keeping him out of the side.

Under-pressure Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren is expected to ring the changes for this weekend’s visit to Crystal Palace.