Kenny McLean offered a blunt assessment in the wake of Norwich City’s 6-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle, labelling the performance as ‘embarrassing’ and ‘shambolic’.

City’s captain fronted up post-match following an afternoon that saw Norwich concede six goals in the second tier for the first time since 1996.

It left 1,600 travelling supporters bemused and concerned, and they made their feelings towards City’s squad known both at half time and at the final whistle.

McLean didn’t mince his words when reflecting on City’s shortcomings and refused to make excuses post-match at Home Park.

“Some of it is unexplainable and inexcusable. It was the worst performance since I’ve been at this club that I’ve been a part of or that I’ve seen,” City’s captain said.

“In all aspects, it was a shambles. To lose four goals in the first half and six all in is embarrassing really for the people that we have in that changing room. It’s a tough one to take and we deserve everything that comes our way right now.

“There is plenty of frustration in the changing room, in the stands and rightly so. People have come here to watch us and support us and that’s what we given them – they don’t deserve it.

“We don’t deserve the support that they’ve given us and it is one that is going to be there for a while.

“We need to learn from it. When you come here and play into Plymouth’s hands, you get punished for the unforced errors and mistakes. A tough afternoon.”

Norwich have looked sturdy defensively in the opening portion of the Championship campaign but were carved open at will by a resurgent Plymouth side.

They’ve now lost three of their last four Championship matches and McLean insists that has rendered their positive start to the season irrelevant now.

“This is a couple of losses in a row now. If teams have come up with a way to play against us then we need to try and combat that and be better. It was all us today.

The Pink Un: Norwich City were comprehensively beaten away at Plymouth Argyle. Norwich City were comprehensively beaten away at Plymouth Argyle. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“Fair play to Plymouth, they had a game plan but we played right into their hands. Everything that we did today was shambolic at times.

“Six goals. The more I say it, the worse it sounds. It’s embarrassing, it honestly is,” McLean fumed. “We need to start winning games.

“The start of the season is gone – we had a couple of good results and people got carried away. Forget that. Forget it. There’s work to be done. We need to come in tomorrow and work hard because that was not acceptable.”