Most Newcastle United managers in years gone by would be thrilled with a start to the season that saw the Magpies lose just once in their opening six games. But Eddie Howe admits he's 'not happy' with the fact his side have drawn four games so far this term.
Newcastle enjoyed the the lion's share of chances at St. James' Park during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace but failed to make the Eagles pay. The draw follows other frustrating clashes with Brighton and Wolves, along with the late defeat at Anfield earlier this week.
When asked if he was happy with Newcastle's start to the season, Howe admitted he is desperate for the club to start turning draws into wins after a tricky set of fixtures in recent weeks. "No, I'm not happy with it. I want more points. I want to win every game," he said.
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"We were slightly fortunate to get a point from Brighton but against Wolves I thought we were the dominant team. Today I felt we were the more dominant team. So there's always swings and roundabouts, it never always goes for you.
"I thought we should have got something against Liverpool. So there is more points that we've left out there but it's up to us to improve those fine margins."
Howe's winning mentality has been on display ever since he joined Newcastle. The former Bournemouth coach has instilled a belief that his side can beat anyone in the league, and that there is no 'dead games' for the north east outfit.
This has already been evident this term with champions Manchester City being held to a 3-3 draw at St. James' Park before Liverpool needed an 98th-minute winner to beat Howe's men at Anfield on Wednesday.
Howe admits his side deserved to win Saturday's draw and bemoaned the VAR decision to overturn Tyrick Mitchell's own goal in the second-half. "I didn’t think it should have been disallowed, personally. I thought it was a foul or a push on Joe Willock in the build-up to the ball coming in," he said.
“Joe’s momentum is fixed at that point from his opponent, and it then carries him into the goalkeeper. But without that push, there’s no way Joe would have gone in with that force. It’s not a foul – if anything, it’s a penalty if it’s not a goal. So, I was very surprised with the outcome."
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