Gateshead 1-1 Newcastle

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Newcastle's preseason got underway in earnest at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

And although it's the first real game of pre-season, familiar concerns were there for all watching as we laboured to a 1-1 draw with our neighbours.

Whilst our World Cup stars are still missing - not all to return - it's worrying that the only positive from the game was the performance of young Sean Steur, always wanting to get on the ball and look for a forward pass.

Yet again Nick Pope - and in truth the whole defence - were caught napping for the Gateshead goal, from a deflected free kick.

The overall lack of cohesion and attacking threat from a tired looking squad, however, was the bigger concern.

We couldn't even put the ball in the Gateshead net, needing a Tynesider's defender to do that for us following a rare forward forage and cross from Lewis Hall.

So early days, but familiar problems.