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Stuart McCall says Newcastle United are a massive step up on Sunderland

7 years ago
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Reflecting on the past five days, Stuart McCall said that Wednesday night’s challenge was a ‘massive step up’ from Saturday’s friendly.

The Bradford boss saw his team narrowly lose 3-2 to Sunderland on Saturday, whereas last night the Magpies totally dominated the game and ran out easy 4-0 winners.

Stuart McCall even felt obliged to have to explain to his club’s supporters why he played such negative tactics in a friendly game.

The Bantams manager saying ‘We played in a way we will never, ever play in again, certainly at home. But we knew with their quality, we had to put out a shape which we hoped could subdue them’.

McCall admits that the Newcastle game was ‘a difficult watch for punters’, with ‘the realisation is when you know what you’re up against and the quality’.

Acknowledging Newcastle’s ‘strength and pace all over the park’, Stuart McCall picked out Jonjo Shelvey for special mention.

Stuart McCall:

We played in a way we will never, ever play in again, certainly at home.

“But we knew with their (Newcastle’s) quality, we had to put out a shape which we hoped could subdue them.

“We did that until they scored two early goals in the second half.

“It was hard work but I’m pleased we’ve got it out of the way – we knew it was going to be a night like that.

“It’s a difficult watch for punters because they want to see us attacking and going forward – the realisation is when you know what you’re up against and the quality.

“They had strength and pace all over the park and you saw Jonjo Shelvey’s passing ability.

“We were absolutely delighted with the work ethic of the boys in the first half but we were always going to tire. They brought a lot of fresh legs on and we’ve got a few injuries at the minute.

“We knew it was a massive step up, even from Saturday against Sunderland.

“It’s not enjoyable when you’re on the other end of it. I’ve played in games when you’ve not had a kick of the ball and it’s really tough.

“But we’re not down about the game. It’s gone and we’ll be positive for the next ten days before we play Blackpool.”

Bradford 0 Newcastle 4

Goals:

Newcastle: Gayle 50, Murphy 51,79 Mitrovic 76

Newcastle United:

Elliot (Woodman 61), Yedlin (Manquilo 46), Lejeune (Mbemba 61), Clark (Saivet 77), Dummett (Gamez 61), Atsu (Aarons 61), Shelvey (de Jong 61), Hayden (Colback 77), Ritchie (Murphy 46), Pérez (Diame 46), Gayle (Mitrovic 61)

Crowd: 7,601 (2,404 Newcastle)

Referee: Geoff Eltringham

(Read the match ratings for each Newcastle player in last night’s match HERE)

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