Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Siem De Jong says that Steve McClaren’s arrival at Newcastle United has resulted in a “clear vision” of how the Magpies are set to play this season.

There were times under Alan Pardew when United looked one-dimensional and when things were going horribly wrong there was no Plan B.

De Jong feels that under McClaren the black-and-whites are heading in a different direction, not least with the former FC Twente manager’s introduction capturing the attention of the club’s Dutch contingent.

Looking ahead to the new season, when asked if McClaren’s achievements had the respect of the array of Dutch players at the club, De Jong told the Chronicle: “He won the league in Holland.

“We (Ajax) were second that season so maybe he was lucky! I had never trained with him because he was of course coach of the competition.

“In Holland he was successful with a team that wasn’t winning a lot of titles.

“So it was a great prize for the team then.

“I have worked with him now for a couple of weeks and he wants to play the same way we are used to in Holland.

“For us Dutch guys that’s nice.

“But we need to get used to each other as a team.

“I know him a bit, but it’s good to have him here and he really wants to play football.

“I think there is a clear vision of how we want to play.”

With Georginio Wijnaldum of PSV Eindhoven also on board – fresh from winning the title – De Jong isset to be a key figure thisseason along with Daryl Janmaat, Vurnon Anita and long-serving keeper Tim Krul.

De Jong is happy with the way things are unfolding going into his second year at the club, and added: “There are also a couple of guys coming in so the squad is getting stronger.

“We still need to improve in pre-season though.”

Newcastle go into the new season with both former title-winning captains of Ajax AND PSV in their ranks this season. Neither may end up with the armband but McClaren has stated he wants 11 leaders on the field.

And De Jong insists it is all about a way of playing rather than who leads the way.

He said: “We want to press the opponents more.

“And we want to play when we have the ball and create chances by keeping the ball and finding the right way to play.

“I think that suits a lot of players.

“We just need to get used to each other.

“And playing a bit more compared to last season.

“I think in training we are improving well and we need to just show it more in the games.

“We are showing it but not enough.”

De Jong opened his account for the summer with a well-taken strike from Papiss Cisse’s flick-on at Bramall Lane in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Sunday.

He reflected: “I was happy to score but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to win.

“It has been positive so far in pre-season.

“The results aren’t always positive but we don’t look at the results we look at the way we play and try to play.

“We have to get used to a different way of playing compared to last year.

“And we have to train hard.

“We have to stick together.

“There are parts of our game where we are doing well and others where we need to improve.”

De Jong has made just one start for the Magpies in 12 months after injury issues throughout last term.

Now he is looking forward to better days.

He said: “It’s was a tough season.

“But the more games I play the stronger I get.

“I need to play games and train hard.

“It has almost been a whole season being out so it is getting used to be playing again.”