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Steve McClaren keeps mum over Newcastle training-ground bust-up

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Steve McClaren says he's enjoyed a 'feisty' week of training following reports of a bust-up between players and coaching staff at Newcastle

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren has refused to single out players for criticism in the wake of last Saturday's humiliation by Leicester which sparked a training-ground bust-up on Monday.

Skipper Fabricio Coloccini bore the brunt of the criticism, but McClaren made no names public in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace.

Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle leaves the pitch after being sent off while Steve McClaren looks on
Image: Fabricio Coloccini (right) was not singled out by Steve McClaren

"There were a lot of players last week who were disappointing," he said. "We didn't do the basics last Saturday and we just talked about doing the basics. We had done that for four games, it had collected us seven points.

"We had a setback. We are not there yet, we are going to have setbacks and we had one on Saturday. We understand the performance wasn't up to our normal standard and we have to get back to that."

I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been feisty, it's been competitive, intense, energetic - really all the things that we were lacking last Saturday.
Steve McClaren on Newcastle training

McClaren confirmed there had been heated exchanges on and off the training pitches at the club's Darsley Park headquarters this week in the wake of the 3-0 home defeat to table-topping Leicester.

The former England boss prohibited the use of foul language following his arrival during the summer, but said he had broken his own rule during the row.

McClaren said: "My swearing went right out of the window. But that's football and that's typical. Each week is different and you have to respond differently, and last week was definitely a different response.

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Newcastle United manager Steve McLaren gestures from the sideline during the defeat to Leicester
Image: McClaren admits 'swearing went right out the window'

"It's been a normal week after what was a very disappointing result and performance last Saturday, a bad weekend. But I would say I have had a great week on the training field.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been feisty, it's been competitive, intense, energetic - really all the things that we were lacking last Saturday, so it's been a good week and I hope that preparation, we take into tomorrow's game."

Newcastle were booed from the pitch by their own fans after the Leicester game, and the club sits just a point above the Premier League relegation zone ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park.

But McClaren remains convinced he can turn things around, and asked whether he had any doubts he said: "No. None whatsoever. We know the process.

"I knew this was tough and for all the comments from other people, we knew it was going to be tough. We all did. It's about turning it around and it's a long process. And a painful one at times."

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