Steve McClaren: 'Journey to West Ham United not the best preparation'

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has claimed that his players were not fully prepared ahead of their 2-0 defeat at West Ham United.

Gridlock across London forced the Magpies to leave their bus and complete the last mile to Upton Park on foot, and on the pitch they were undone by Dimitri Payet's brace.

McClaren told Sky Sports News: "We did not do what we have been doing for the first four games when we looked organised, disciplined, won our duels, competed. I don't know what it was, the journey? We were late getting here.

"We said before 'deal with it' but maybe we didn't deal with it. It is a wake up call for everyone. In this Premier League you need to be one hundred percent and if you aren't you get beat. I don't want to make excuses but the journey wasn't the best preparation.

"Could we come away and create chances tonight? Our final ball wasn't of the quality of West Ham which is why we lost. It is in the heart and the head and we need a reaction."

The defeat sees Newcastle slip to the foot of the Premier League table.