Newcastle boss sees 'no need for negativity' as Marsch relishes Leeds clean sheet

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has urged his players not to lose sight after their hopes of a seventh consecutive Premier League win were dashed by Leeds.

The top-flight Magpies were forced to settle for a point in a 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked St James' Park on Saturday afternoon, but still finish 2022 third in the table .

When asked if it was important to look back after a remarkable 12 months for a club that a year ago was locked in a relegation battle, head coach Howe said answered: "I think so.

"It's important for the players to keep that perspective as well, because there's absolutely no need for internal negativity from me to the players, from the players to each other.

"They gave it their all today, tough conditions, a tough opponent. We created the chances and sometimes football works that way, you just can't for some reason…

"When you're fluent - and we've been before - suddenly, a week, you seem like you can't score.

"The most important thing is that we didn't lose the game trying to chase it and trying to win it and the player commitment was there for everyone."

It is Newcastle's misfortune that the best of the chances they created went to the defenders, with Fabian Schar missing no less than three promising chances and Dan Burn missing his kick with the goal at his mercy.

Howe, who revealed full-back Matt Targett was facing a spell on the sidelines with a heel injury, said: "I thought all that was missing was the finish today. We created a number of opportunities, but it didn't."

Opposite number Jesse Marsch was thrilled with the resilience his players showed on a day when they could have emerged victorious had Nick Pope not salvaged Rodrigo's second-half effort.

Marsch said: "I think the point is precious, but even more precious is the clean sheet, for us. They have been, since I've been here, not easy to find.

"We felt like going into the World Cup break and coming out of the break we had, we gave away goals that were too cheap and we really wanted to try and do better with it. this.

"We talked about both the tactics of what that would mean and the mentality of doing whatever it takes to defend your own goal.

"The first half, for me, I thought we played very well. We were in the game, we managed to find a few chances, then in the second half they decided to play very direct to then try to pick up set pieces and put balls in our box, and then it becomes about momentum and energy and bend, but not break.

"In general, I think we did very well."