Eddie Howe has admitted that the 'narrative' around Newcastle United has changed after Premier League rivals put up the asking prices for players and his side were booed off the field at Anfield.
Although Newcastle did sign Matt Targett from Aston Villa, and Nick Pope from relegated Burnley, the Magpies were unable to land a number of other targets with top-flight experience. Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, for instance, quipped £40m 'might just cover three-quarters' of James Maddison's left leg while, similarly, Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear said one offer the club received for Jack Harrison would only be enough for his right leg,
Newcastle also did not have any joy in bringing in players on loan from other Premier League clubs, like they have in the past, which perhaps shows how Howe's side are now perceived as they bid to upset the established order.
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"We certainly found there's no one there ready to do us a favour," he told reporters. "The narrative regarding us has changed.
"If there's anything, domestically, teams will put their price up if it's Newcastle, but that's the same around the world. That's something we're having to deal with and that's why we walked away from a few deals because it's important that we're not seen as that club that will pay what's asked. It has to be fair."
There has also been a change of perception on the field, too, and Newcastle players and staff were booed off by Liverpool supporters following the Magpies' 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night. In a way, it was a compliment.
Newcastle, unlike Bournemouth just a few days previously, did not lie down and instead upset Liverpool's rhythm by pressing high up the pitch and running down the clock. The visitors even led up until the hour mark following debutant Alexander Isak's first-half strike.
Liverpool went on to win the game - Roberto Firmino equalised before substitute Fabio Carvalho struck in the 98th minute - but a number of the club's fans decided to boo Newcastle off rather than celebrate a late win. Howe stressed that what people outside of Newcastle think of his side was 'not my concern' and, if anything, it could help build a siege mentality.
“I would say we couldn’t be more together at the moment," he said. "There is a real feeling of us internally knowing we are against everybody else. That is healthy and I would embrace that."
It was a night where emotions certainly ran high at Anfield. Liverpool accused Newcastle of repeatedly timewasting after Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Joelinton all went down at various points. Newcastle, meanwhile, were unhappy that play continued beyond the allotted five minutes of stoppage time - even if Pope received treatment during added time.
Howe acknowledged that Newcastle 'didn't get that last couple of minutes right' - the visitors had a host of opportunities to clear their lines from James Milner's corner before Carvalho volleyed home - but the Magpies' boss felt the game 'should have ended' before then.
Carvalho's goal ended up triggering some ugly scenes on the touchline: Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg stuck two fingers up; objects were thrown in the direction of the Reds' bench; and both Fabian Schar and first-team coach Simon Weatherstone had to be restrained. The FA are reviewing the incident, but Howe insisted he had not even watched it back yet.
"When the goal went in, I took myself somewhere else mentally," he added. "I don't know where I went, but somewhere dark.
"I always try and stay out of those flashpoints unless I feel I need to be there for my team and for my staff, but emotions were running high and that's the beauty of the Premier League. I had no issue with my bench protecting themselves as part of the game."
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