Watson: 'We Were Too Naive'

By Dominic Scurr

Under-18s coach Dave Watson believes the naivety of his young Newcastle United side cost them dear following a 7-1 defeat at Manchester United.

Up until the hour mark the Magpies had been in the game and were pushing forward in search of an equaliser. But three quick-fire goals from the Red Devils on the break ultimately saw Watson's youngsters fall to a heavy defeat.

However the coach hopes the result will be a good lesson for his side going into the final two games of the season.

"We conceded early on and were very sloppy for the first 15 or so minutes," Watson told nufc.co.uk.

"But we got back into the game and started to create a few good chances, and even though we were 2-1 down at half-time, we were still very much in the game - there was nothing in it at all.

"Then we came out for the second half and we had some really good chances to equalise but we didn't take them, and that cost us the game because we went 3-1 down soon after.

"That left us exposed at the back because we were pushing further and further forward trying to get back into the game - then we conceded a fourth.

"At that point we just needed to shut up shop but the kids were too naive and they kept pushing forward. That played right into Manchester United's hands because we were so open at the back.

"We were in the game for most of it but I wouldn't say the result was particularly harsh because Manchester United just showed their quality on the break towards the end."

With many under-18s regulars involved in the under-21s' fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, Watson was left with an even younger team than usual.

"We had a lot of players playing who aren't really experienced even at under-18s level," continued the former Everton defender.

"We had six under-16s playing and our keeper (Keaton Marrs) had been brought in from the under-15s, so it's a tough but hopefully a good learning experience for them in the long term."