Eddie Howe has spoken of his frustration after Newcastle United's testing first-half against 1860 Munich - but insists his team were feeling the effects of a tough week. The Magpies earned a 3-0 win in the end and looked better after the break when the likes of Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes started to run the show.
However, Howe felt the third tier German side tried their best to break Newcastle's early rhythm. Howe said: "The first half was difficult as they were clearly trying to slow the game down which is their right. The referee didn't help us with that because we wanted the opposite.
"We wanted a quick game with a lot of running but it wasn't there in the first half - it was a dead game. We didn't really get what we wanted. I didn't think we helped ourselves with that I thought we were lethargic but certainly we have worked the players hard.
MATCH REPORT: Bruno and Botman arrivals make key difference in win
"We have been tested in different ways. We knew they were coming into the game today fatigued and it showed early on."
Howe made 10 changes after the hour mark with goalscorers Bruno and Sean Longstaff coming on.
Speaking about the mass reshuffle, Howe added: "That was always the plan. We didn't pick the players who we thought could play longer and we protected the players we thought needed it.
"Mostly the international boys who have had less training. The others, their performance was very good but the first 60 minutes we looked fatigued."
READ NEXT
Player ratings: Newcastle United player ratings as Bruno shows his class again
Newcastle United leaving no transfer stone unturned as Leeds United star and Serie A ace linked
Championship clubs on red alert as Elliot Anderson opens up on Newcastle United future
Newcastle United add 18-year-old youth star to squad in Austria
Javier Manquillo attracts interest from Spain but could fight for his place at Newcastle United
