Eddie Howe has warned his players that Newcastle United's solid start to the Premier League season is still not deemed satisfactory in the eyes of himself and his coaching team.
The Magpies have seven points on the board and sit 11th in the top-flight table. Remarkably, it took Newcastle until November 30 to reach seven points last season so big strides forward are being made under Howe.
Yet the former AFC Bournemouth boss has been clear with the players, fans and media right from the get-go about standards. And despite just one defeat, a narrow loss at Liverpool, Howe has been candid about the start to the campaign.
Howe, who will take on his old Cherries team on Saturday, said: "I’m not happy with it. I want more points, I want to win every game.
"I thought we were possibly slightly fortunate to get a point against Brighton, but I thought at Wolves we were the more dominant team and I thought vs Palace we were the more dominant team too.
"There’s always swings and roundabouts, it never always goes for you, but I thought we should have got something from Liverpool. There are more points we’ve left out there, but it’s up to us to improve those slight margins."
READ NEXT:
Newcastle's best dynamic duos - and how they can inspire Isak and Wilson
Premier League must make correct fixture call as Newcastle United await decision
Loris Karius' response to Liverpool hate mail as Newcastle get character bonus
Brighton's CEO wants a 'word with Dan Ashworth' over St James' Park rule
PSG president makes 'dream' vow that is good news for Newcastle's long-term plan
