Newcastle United v Leeds United: McDermott wary of turmoil which knee-jerk reactions can provoke

LEEDS UNITED manager Brian McDermott has hit out at the knee-jerk reaction to defeats which is pervading the modern-day game and is calling on football supporters everywhere to maintain a sense of perspective.
Leeds boss Brian McDermottLeeds boss Brian McDermott
Leeds boss Brian McDermott

McDermott’s side, who have lost their lost two matches, head to St James’ Park tonight to face hosts who have copped a barrage of criticism on Tyneside following their 3-2 weekend home loss to Hull City.

The Magpies had headed into that game with the Tigers seeking their third consecutive Premier League win for the first time since 2011-12, but the preceding victories did not spare them from considerable wrath.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Equally, some Leeds supporters were quick to voice displeasure a little over a week after feting United after they claimed a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers to move into the Championship play-off spots.

McDermott’s Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew – to whom he remains grateful for handing him his big professional break in offering him the chance to join his backroom staff at Reading in 2000 – has also spoken about the extremes of emotion among many in the football fraternity being unhelpful.

McDermott, whose Leeds side will be roared on by a 6,000-strong travelling army on Tyneside this evening – the club’s first visit to 
St James’ since January 2004 – said: “They (Newcastle) weren’t in turmoil a week before when they beat Aston Villa.

“It kind of is about one result. It is a little bit like that in 2013 – one result creates turmoil.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That can be at Newcastle, 
Arsenal, Leeds or Liverpool. Liverpool will (now) be in turmoil because they got beat by Southampton. That seems to be the way things are in this day and age.

“I have a strong view on that. Look at the week we had. We played Bolton and won 1-0. We play Reading, should win the game in the 94th minute and we lose it in the 97th.

“We then play Burnley, we create more chances than we have done for a long time, give two silly goals away, get back in the game and nearly get a draw.

“We lose two games and that’s football. That’s how things are. But you cannot have knee-jerk reactions to results, you can’t. If you believe in what you’re trying to do, you have to keep going.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I do understand that results are everything, but they can create turmoil. That’s how it seems to be.”

McDermott has revealed he is continuing his search for a Premier League loan striker to boost his attacking options, having been rebuffed after enquiring about one potential target.

The Leeds boss is the first to 
acknowledge that quality does not come cheap and is mindful that cup progress tonight would not just be about kudos for the club, but also financial reward which could increase his transfer kitty and offer room for manoeuvre.

McDermott, who has ruled out a move for free agent David Bentley with his priority being a frontline striker – United old boy Luciano Becchio and West Brom’s Shane Long are among those linked – said: “There’s no point in me bringing a player in for the sake of it. I spoke to one of the owners on (Monday) night and I told him that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The owner said to me that if I felt there was a player who became available who could make a difference, in his words he would support me.

“(But) trying to find a striker who can score you plenty of goals and the right type of striker in the team is never going to be easy.

“There isn’t a cheap option. That doesn’t happen. If there was a cheap option who could make all the difference then everyone would be trying to do that.

“For me, there’s no point signing someone for a month. You’d have to sign someone for three months looking to try and get him until the end of the season. If I did it, that’s what I’d want to do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“By nature of the Premier League, the wages are higher. It’s not easy. I’m looking at options. I enquired about a player that I would like but he isn’t available, so we keep looking. That’s all we’re trying to do.”

On the dual benefits of progression in the competition this evening, McDermott acknowledged: “We’ve got a good draw. I look at it both ways. We want to get into the next round and go as far as we can but I also look at it as good revenue. That’s pretty sad, but that’s how it is; the realistic situation I’m in.

“If we get a result, that’s more revenue for the club and more of an opportunity to add another player, or to improve the training ground – to help the stability of the club in the long term.”

Stephen Warnock returns after a one-match ban, with Sam Byram – who made his first-team comeback at the weekend – also available. McDermott says there will be “some changes” after the weekend defeat to the Clarets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United’s Boxing Day league game at Blackpool will be screened live on TV at 5.15pm.

Last six games: Newcastle LWWWDL, Leeds LLWLWW.

Last time: Newcastle 1 Leeds 0; January 7, 2004; Premier League.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).