McClaren applauds Twente start

Twente head coach Steve McClaren was delighted with his team’s winning start to the new Eredivise season over the weekend.

McClaren’s side beat Groningen 4-1 at home on Sunday as the new season in the Dutch top flight got underway.

Nacer Chadli and Dusan Tadic each bagged a brace in the win, while Leandro Bacuna nabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

The Englishman said he was pleased with his team’s approach to the season opener.

“When you win 4-1 and the way we played, it was a nice start to the competition and a nice start to the season,” McClaren said.

“I think we touched on it before the game that we have already played six competitive games in Europe, games we need to win, this was our seventh and that was an advantage today.

“You can see over the weekend that in first games you never quite know what to expect. Today we didn’t know but were pleasantly surprised.”

The former Middlesbrough manager did, however, express frustration over his side conceding a late consolation goal.

“I am very disappointed to concede a goal,” he said.

“I know it is only one goal but clean sheets are very important and you have to keep concentration throughout 90 minutes and we didn’t do that, but that was the only disappointment in a good performance.”