Newcastle United's time in Austria has to come to an end. During nine intense days, the players' fitness has been built up during intense double sessions in the heat; Eddie Howe and his staff have worked on building a style of play; and a tight-knit group has become even closer.
Even the staff were tired by the time Newcastle took on Mainz 05 on Monday but, against a better standard of opposition, the Magpies did play with a greater intensity than three days previously versus 1860 Munich. Although the stifling heat slowed the game down at times at the Kufstein Arena, it was played in the competitive manner Howe wanted. Indeed, at one point in the first half, Alexander Hack took out Miguel Almiron down the right before Paul Dummett scythed down Silvan Widmer down Newcastle's left a couple of minutes later.
There was certainly no faulting Newcastle's effort during the 1-0 defeat and, at this rate, the black-and-whites will not be undercooked like they were going into last season given the amount of ball work they have done and the games they will have played. It is not a coincidence that friendlies were arranged against three sides, Mainz, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao, who finished eighth in their respective leagues in Germany, Italy and Spain, while next week's opponents, Benfica, were Champions League quarter-finalists last season. Burnley, meanwhile, who Newcastle face behind-closed-doors on Saturday, were a fellow Premier League outfit only a few months ago.
