When a club is losing, its manager’s words are often torn apart and unfairly reprimanded by supporters.
When those words wouldn’t have been well-chosen by a winning coach, they get even more heat.
And, oh, Steve McClaren.
[ MATCH RECAP: Manchester City 6-1 Newcastle United ]
The Magpies manager tried to explain his side’s 6-1 loss to Manchester City on Saturday, one that saw them go up 1-0 before conceding five goals to Sergio Aguero. In the video above, McClaren offered a gigantic shoulder shrug, choosing to highlight the positives and calling City “the best team” in the Premier League.
Another interview, with the BBC, was a bit of a laugher, though. What better way to describe a five-goal whipping than “unlucky”. Take it away, Steve.
From the BBC:“We came here to win, I think we caused Manchester City problems and could have had more goals and we should have done.
“I have seen enough in the last two weeks that we can win football matches. We were unlucky last week and this week. There is enough in there, we just need consistency. Our season begins now.”
McClaren did play an offense-forward lineup, and that start helped his side to a lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic. And to be fair, they could’ve led 2-0 had a goal not been called back on a thinly-cut offside.
But McClaren also called the first half “magnificent”, an adjective that hardly fits the bill. Credit to him and his charges for taking the leads and putting forth shifts -- at times -- against Chelsea and Manchester City in consecutive weeks, but that’s what they were: shifts.
And the Magpies have seen four of the PL’s best in its first eight matches, but surely their fans won’t love his reaction, nor chewing on a 20th place finish during an international break. Newcastle will likely be fine, but was far from “unlucky” today, unless you count having to play Manchester City.