Full transcript from an emotional Bruno Guimaraes as he made some feisty claims in the wake of Newcastle’s loss to Sunderland
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has slammed the Magpies’ performance in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, labelling it ’embarrassing’.
The Magpies skipper fronted up to written and national media in the mixed zone after they were beaten in the first Wear-Tyne Premier League derby between the two sides for almost 10 years.
Newcastle were second best throughout and were insipid going forward as they failed to create anything of note or test Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Sunderland were full value for the win and Newcastle were left licking their wounds after what was a disappointing afternoon on Wearside.
And it was the United captain, who cut an emotional and angry figure in the bowels of the Stadium of Light, who fronted up to the press.
Why did it look like Sunderland wanted it more?
“It’s tough for me to say. I’m very frustrated. Through the week we’ve been very excited at the training ground but we came here and didn’t perform.
“I’m so frustrated and it makes me feel angry at our performance today. We were not there. No shooting, no crossing, no passing. We should have demanded the ball more.
“We just accepted the way they will play, long balls, they won the duels. In derbies we have to win the duels. It’s so frustrating for me to come here today, but the fans are right [to criticise] because it’s a tough one to accept.
“We had a great opportunity to go in front of them and we just missed it and for me it’s so frustrating.”
You’ve made it clear just how much you know the derby means to Newcastle fans. Do you think there’s some people in the dressing room that perhaps weren’t aware of how much the derby meant to you?
“We spoke a lot about it, so everyone came here and knew exactly what it meant for the fans. The whole message in the changing room today was do it for the fans and we didn’t. It’s so embarrassing for me and frustrating because we know we have a better team than them. It’s clear for me.
“But we didn’t perform like a better team today. It makes me feel angry. I have to be very worried about my words because I’m very angry with the performance.
“We missed that consistency, that is clear. That was not there, the mentality is not there. We have to go again on Wednesday and put the club in the semi-final.”
The Newcastle fans have stuck by you and the team since you’ve arrived at the club. Are you aware of how much a defeat against Sunderland could potentially result in quite backlash?
“Of course, I’ve played many, many derbies in my career. It’s not easy to get a defeat, but today I think we disappointed the fans. We disappointed the fans in general because they were expecting much more. We were as well.
“But we didn’t perform like the team that should come here with the right mentality. So yeah, we understand the fans.
“Now we have just, for me, one way to go. That is beating everyone, improve our form, qualify the club for the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, qualify for the Champions League and improve our level in the Premier League as well. And just a final one for me, Bruno.”
Defeat here today, how much do you want to put things right when Sunderland visit here in St James’ Park in March?
“It’s a long way to go. My mind is still here, I’m still very angry, disappointed. But of course, we know we’re going to play them in March.
“We’re going to go there and win the game.”
Is this the most painful defeat you’ve had as a Newcastle player?
“Definitely, yes. Not just as a defeat, more the way we play. Disappointed, frustrated, lack of energy, don’t put the things that we are able to do, cross the ball, pass the ball.
“We were like a mess in my point of view. Disappointed, angry. This one is a tough one to accept.”
Have you said those words in the dressing room?
“Yeah, I said it.”
How different were Sunderland to the FA Cup tie?
“I t