Toon Keeper Says Rumours Are 'Rubbish'

Last updated : 11 December 2015 By Footy Mad - Editor

Steve McClaren, his staff and his players have spent recent weeks engaged in heated debate on the training ground in a bid to eradicate the problems which saw them lose in humiliating fashion to Leicester and Crystal Palace on successive weekends.

However, airing a few home truths appeared to work on Sunday when Newcastle beat high-flying Liverpool 2-0 at St James' Park, with Elliot insisting rumours of rebellion were unfounded.

He told the Chronicle: "Contrary to some of the reports, we are a good squad and we do all get on - I can honestly say that.

"The so-called arguments have not really been arguments, they've just been people being more honest and open because they care.

"It's people talking about things because everyone has different ideas about how they want to play football, but we just need to make sure we're doing everything together and I think maybe that's cleared the air in the last week and we're better for it.

"I think we showed against Liverpool that the personnel - obviously Siem (de Jong) and Papiss (Cisse) haven't played a lot recently - but they came in and did brilliantly for us, as did the lads off the bench, then Gini (Wijnaldum) just finished off the chances."