McClaren Dodges The Season Tickets

 

Steve McClaren: "We finished the game strongly, we were searching for an equaliser and we were on top. We ran out of time this week but we've got bigger priorities, everyone knows that.

"It was always going to be difficult after Thursday and we've got a big game on Wednesday. There's a big prize at stake and that's what we've focused and targeted over the last couple of months. As I say that's what we're prioritising.

"Last minute goals don't happen too often over a season and we've had two in the last couple of weeks, asking for a third was a bit too much.

"I don't like losing football matches, and it's a local derby and we're all disappointed but we have to put things in perspective. Conceding two goals was perhaps the most disappointing part of the afternoon but credit to the players, they could have easily stayed flat but they had a go in the second half, got a goal back and very nearly did it.

"I could easily say we had two penalty appeals turned down but I'm not going to make excuses."