06 November 2023 , 18:38
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Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle don’t care if they upset opponents - because they play hard but fair.
After their controversial battle against Arsenal which had Mikel Arteta raging, his captain refusing to shake hands, and a Gunners’ club statement, Howe praised the way he players “dealt with the situation.”
Newcastle arrived in Dortmund on Monday night for a key Group F fixture with just 16 first team players available and 12 out injured. Dan Burn is the latest long term victim, out for two months with a damaged back. Howe has backed his first team stars to compete on all fronts without the luxury of much squad rotation.
After Jamaal Lascelles said he was “fuming” because Jorginho refused to shake hands, Howe said: “I’ve got no desire to upset anybody, just to try and win.
“However we do that, I’ve got no issue with, as long as we do it within the spirit of the game. We are competitive. We’re hugely ambitious and full compliment to the players on how they handled Saturday.
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“You can see that from how we’ve performed, the spirit within the group. I think the players have handled themselves magnificently in difficult situations. I think we play fair and we will do the same again.
“We're not intentionally ruffling any feathers. I want the players to stand up for each other, I want them to play competitive football. I want us to be strong in certain moments, which we have to be, and I think we did all of those things on Saturday.”
Defender Fabian Schar admitted there were “things off the pitch” at the weekend. He added: “Sometimes, you play nice football, and sometimes, like Saturday, you have games that are really tight and intense, a lot of fouls. There were things off the pitch too, but I don’t really care.”
Newcastle are on a run of one defeat in 12 games. Matt Targett has been ruled out for three months with a hamstring pull and Howe said: “I believe players can (keep going). I think Liverpool showed not so long ago, Champions League, Premier League, they went on all fronts, with nearly the same team.
“We are having to do that out of necessity. It would not have been my preferred option. I would have liked to rotate and use the strength of the group but we are not going to be able to do that for a while.”
Swiss defender Schar says he wants to finish his career at Newcastle after going from bench under Steve Bruce to Champions League with Howe.
“I would love to, to be fair! I have said how much I love the club and want to be here.”