INCE’S MISS MAKES MAC WINCE ON SAD RETURN
Ritchie settles scrappy encounter
STEVE MCCLAREN suffered a miserable return to St James’ Park as Derby’s meek surrender was capped by a shocking miss from Tom Ince.
Sacked in March with Newcastle heading for relegation, McClaren was widely perceived as a stooge for reviled chairman Mike Ashley and suffered a torrent of abuse from the stands.
But any hopes of getting one over his tormentors vanished with an early goal from Matt Ritchie, a tepid first-half display and a shocker from Ince, who skewed wide from six yards with the goal gaping.
It was a horrible moment for McClaren, whose side – despite a spirited second-half display – mustered just one shot on target and lost ground on the top six.
“I’m very disappointed,” admitted the former England boss. “We stood off them, showed too much respect. But second half we gave it a right go and should have got something from the game.
“It was great coming back. It’s a great club, great supporters. Great people. It was always going to be a difficult afternoon for me but I just wanted to focus on the game and get on with it.”
When Rafa Benitez agreed to replace McClaren full-time last summer, he did so on the proviso that Ashley and his chief scout
Graham Carr kept their noses out of transfer affairs.
Yet the failure to sign Andros Townsend from Crystal Palace in January infuriated the Spaniard, who has demanded face-to-face talks with Ashley.
Should Benitez fail to be convinced of the owner’s willingness to spend he is likely to walk away in May, but McClaren rolled his eyes when asked about his successor’s predicament.
“Please don’t take me back,” he said. “I’ve got enough problems. I’ll have a glass of wine with Rafa. A good conversation. I’m sure it’ll be very interesting, but I’ll keep it private.
“My focus is not on Newcastle, Rafa’s problems or journalists’ stories. It’s on Derby.”
One thing Benitez can count on is the support of the Toon Army, who view him as an ally in the battle against Ashley. His name was belted out lustily from the stands for almost 90 minutes straight.
“The fans have been amazing with me last year and this year,” said Benitez, who was the last man off the pitch after applauding supporters. “I am happy if they continue singing my name but I am happier when they support the players.
“They realise they can make the difference in games like this one. You could see from the start they were ready to help the team, and the team responded. You could feel the atmosphere and when the players feel it they run more. If the players win, I win.”
In truth, the subplot was more interesting than the main event, a turgid scrap that Newcastle deservedly edged. Derby were simply too static to press Newcastle’s dangermen. Mo Diame, in particular, ran riot in the first 20 minutes, constantly driving at Derby’s back four.
The Senegal midfielder shot high, wide and then straight at Scott Carson before Ritchie lashed a drive that struck Bradley Johnson and looped beyond the helpless stopper.
For a while, the class of Jonjo Shelvey threatened to tell. “He’s feisty, he’s competitive, he wants to win,” added McClaren. “It must have been a good manager who signed him…”
Derby improved after the break, stepping up and ruffling feathers. Newcastle dropped deep and lost adventure in a bid to protect their lead. Aleksandar Mitrovic, again anonymous, missed a sitter.
Had Ince, picked out by lively substitute Abdoul Camara, taken his chance the hosts could not have complained, but they hung on with typical Benitez resilience.
“It was a pity that we had to suffer because we had chances to finish the game,” said Benitez, whose team return to the top of the league. “But every three points is important.”