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Elliot: "The Lowest Point"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Rob Elliot pulled no punches in his brutally honest assessment of Newcastle's Tyne-Wear derby defeat
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Rob Elliot pulled no punches in his brutally honest assessment of Newcastle United's Tyne-Wear derby defeat against Sunderland on Sunday.
The substitute goalkeeper was left to pick the ball out of the back of the net twice following his 57th-minute introduction at St. James' Park, helpless to stop impressive Adam Johnson and David Vaughan efforts.
That added to Stephane Sessegnon's first half goal, as the Magpies suffered a 3-0 reversal in the Barclays Premier League.
And with local bragging rights as well as three top flight points at stake on Tyneside, Elliot was bitterly disappointed with United's performance.
"Everyone is gutted, hugely disappointed, devastated - forgetting the three points, about what it means to everyone," he told nufc.co.uk following the final whistle.
"We have got to hold our hands up. We didn't do what we needed to do and we let ourselves and everyone else down.
"We have to look at ourselves and ask work out why we played like that after some good performances.
"This is the lowest point. You dream of playing in one of these derbies - I am so proud to play for Newcastle United - but then that happens, and it cannot happen again.
"It wasn't good enough, there are no excuses, and we have to make sure that this hurt drives us on now over the final five games. It feels awful and I never want to feel like this again."
"It shouldn't have happened in the first place and we have to make sure that we finish our last five games strong. We have to carry this defeat forward and turn it into some sort of positive."
Elliot was called off the substitutes' bench after Tim Krul dislocated his shoulder in an awkward fall, having clawed away a cross.
And the Dutchman - who was taken to hospital to have it assessed - has since been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
"Tim isn't good and I'm gutted for him," said Elliot.
"I'm not one of those people that would ever wish an injury on somebody to get my chance.
"He's a brave lad so if he had to go to hospital then that tells you it isn't good.
"It was a bad day anyway but losing someone like Tim has made it even worse."