Back of the Net!

Steve McClaren’s assertion that he “needs shooting” has been greeted with volunteers across England and the North East of England, with legal firearms stockists in Teesside reporting a 10000% increase in sales.

In all seriousness though, McClaren was speaking about this evening’s FC Twente tie with Manchester City, with his Dutch club likely to be concerned about the possibility of a demolishing at the hands of a City team that don’t seem to be pulling their weight since the signing of Robinho.

When asked if he had improved or grown as a manager following his time failing to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren answered:

“If I am not, I want shooting again, considering all the lessons that should have been learned.

“I hope I have learned. That is what I am trying to prove in whatever I do. You want to do your best.”

He’s a nice guy, I give him that – but he’s missing the steely edge needed to be a truly successful manager – exactly the reason why Middlesbrough failed so dismally in the UEFA Cup final in 2006, why his England era was so half-hearted and why in all likelihood his FC Twente side will fail to progress against Mark Hughes’ Manchester City.

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