McClaren plays down Twente title talk
Monday 9 November 2009
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Steve McClaren's side are still unbeaten in the Eredivisie this term (©Getty Images)
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Steve McClaren says it would be "ridiculous" for FC Twente to start contemplating a first Eredivisie title in the club's history despite overcoming AFC Ajax 1-0 to cement their position as league leaders.
Ruiz header
Twente are just two points clear of second-placed PSV Eindhoven but, tellingly, six ahead of Ajax in third thanks to Sunday's narrow victory, which came courtesy of Bryan Ruiz's 47th-minute header. Whilst some have proclaimed such a triumph to be potentially decisive in the title race, McClaren is keen to keep his feet firmly on the ground as Twente seek their first league crown since their inception in 1965.
Mean defence
"It is still early November, so what are we talking about," said the former England manager. "There are still so many hurdles to make. We cannot talk about a championship yet, can we? It is much too soon. Last season we ended second. To repeat that performance would be extremely good." McClaren was particularly at pains to compliment a defence that is now the tightest in the division having been breached just ten times in their opening 13 fixtures.
Cruyff praise
"It was a top match between two top sides," he added. "The key for this victory was our defence. Ajax had put down a row of victories, and in the previous matches against AZ [Alkmaar] and Feyenoord they scored no less than nine goals. So it is unbelievably strong that we did not concede a goal." It is, however, at the other end of the pitch that McClaren's fluid and typically Dutch 4-3-3 formation has attracted praise from the likes of Johan Cruyff.
'Self-confidence'
Ruiz, a pivotal cog in an attack shorn of Eljero Elia and Marko Arnautovic over the summer, is as level-headed as his coach following his match-winning goal. "I do not score too often with my head, but this one went in nicely," he said. "It certainly was an important goal for the team. I have a lot of self-confidence and that is very important in these matches. We are doing very well, but there is still a long way to go".
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