McClaren hits out at ‘unacceptable’ Newcastle

Matt Stead

Steve McClaren has hit out at his Newcastle United team after they were thrashed 3-0 by Everton on Wednesday night.

Ross Barkley scored two penalties – the second of which saw substitute Jamaal Lascelles sent off – very late on to add to a first-half goal from Aaron Lennon.

The Magpies have taken just five points from their last eight fixtures and remain two points from safety and McClaren was less than impressed with their display at Goodison Park.

“We need a reaction from individuals and collectively,” he said.

“52,000 people will demand a reaction against West Brom on Saturday.

“We have said you can’t waste a game now and that’s what we’ve done.

“Some of them know they have fallen short and that is why we lost.

“That is not what we have come to expect and you can’t afford to do that with games ebbing away.

“We had bad results against Leicester and Crystal Palace (in November) where that (attitude) was questioned but since then it has been excellent.

“I felt it was disappointing we returned to that level and that is unacceptable.”

To add insult to the defeat defenders Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett both went off injured before half-time to leave McClaren’s resources at the back stretched even further.

“In terms of things that can go wrong they did go wrong in terms of injuries. We just have to dust ourselves down and see who we have got fit,” he added.

“Whatever that team has to be committed and fight.”