Newcastle players issue statement in support of Steve McClaren
Saturday 5 March 2016 19:42, UK
Newcastle United players insist they are fully behind head coach Steve McClaren.
The players have taken the unusual step of issuing a statement to confirm their support for the Newcastle manager after reports claimed senior players had become disillusioned with him and were surprised he was still in charge after their poor run of form.
The 1-0 defeat at Stoke City in midweek - a seventh consecutive away loss - left Newcastle in the Premier League's bottom three with suggestions that the players expected McClaren to be sacked if they lost to Bournemouth on Saturday, but they have insisted the former England boss has their full respect.
The statement read: "Newcastle United players would like to make clear that reports in some areas of the media suggesting we are surprised that our head coach has not been dismissed are untrue.
"As a group we aware of the situation we are in and it is our responsibility to change that.
"The coach and his staff prepare us well for each game, but once on the pitch it is not they who can stop the goals we concede or the chances we don't take, that responsibility is ours the players.
"On the occasions we have given poor performances this season the coach has in the privacy of the dressing room rightly demonstrated his disappointment in us.
"In his press conferences, though, we have seen that he defends his group, continues to show faith in us and shares the responsibility with us. For this he has the full respect of the players.
"The players are also aware from articles in yesterday's newspapers that a person or persons connected with the club are giving information to the press of a negative nature.
"As players we are very disappointed by this. It's a betrayal of trust for the coach, us and the club.
"As a group we know we have it within us to keep this club in the Premier League.
"We now must fight every game at a time to earn our place in the Premier League for next season."
