"I don't know where to start. They were better, quicker and sharper and gave us problems," Strachan said after the 3-0 defeat to the Magpies.
"I know why it's come about but don't think it should be public knowledge. "It's been a difficult 10 days, because we haven't looked like winning in these three games at any time.
"I don't think you could have put two games together beforehand in the two-and-a-half years I've been here and said that - but it's three now.
"I'd like to think we'll sort it out with the players we've got now because the opportunity should be given to the players to rectify it."