The early part of the Spanair thread gives the impression an engine failure on the MD-80/82 is much harder to control than on twin engine passenger aircraft with the engines under the wings.
Just because the engines are mounted on the fuselage does not mean there is not significant yaw with an engine loss. The Learjet 23/24/25 and the MD-80 are examples where, when losing an engine, you go to the floor with the rudder and then back off a bit. Failure to put in FULL rudder may well complicate the problem. Any timidity in rudder input will complicate control.
The -80 has a very large vertical fin and rudder? An aero-engineer is not going to build a big vertical fin and rudder if it is not needed. Thus...
Also imagined a single thrust reverser deployment was less of an issue for the same reason.
An engine in reverse right after takeoff is going to be a challenge, no doubt. But again, one has to take the whole picture in view and consider flight test and certification. Do you think the FAA and JAA would certify an airplane and not consider the possibility of a reverser opening? Or that they would certify an airplane that called for extraordinary skill to fly? Certification is so that your
average trained pilot can fly it.
Clue.. when you hear some stud talk about how difficult an airliner is to fly, it is probably more a statement of his flying skills than the handling of the airplane.