Eddie Howe has credited experienced leaders Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn for helping to turn Newcastle United into a more 'streetwise' outfit.
Only Southampton threw away more points from winning positions than Newcastle (24) in the Premier League last season. However, Newcastle have made huge strides in game management in recent months, particularly since conceding a controversial 98th-minute winner against Liverpool last August.
That 2-1 defeat at Anfield remains Newcastle's one and only loss in all competitions this season and the Magpies have since managed to see out wins against Spurs and Chelsea, and claim a hard-fought point at Arsenal. The Gunners were the latest side to be frustrated by Newcastle on the road after the visitors disrupted the league leaders' rhythm in a goalless draw at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
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As well as turning the game into a scrappy encounter, Newcastle players were not shy in pleading their case to referee Andy Madley when Arsenal committed a foul while unused substitute Jamaal Lascelles infuriated the hosts by attempting to block a Gunners' throw-in from the touchline in stoppage time in an effort to eat up some precious seconds. Newcastle certainly got under Arsenal's skin and it was the hosts who were charged by the FA for failing to control their players after they were denied a late penalty.
Newcastle's gritty display came just a few days after Burn told the club's match day programme that 'we are not just a team of nice guys', but a side who can 'mix it up and give as good as we get'. Howe certainly got that from his players against Arsenal.
"It's been constantly evaluating our performances and what we are doing, and just trying to find little things that can help us," Howe told reporters. "Aligned to that is the experience of the players that we have brought in. I don't think you can underestimate that.
"When you look at a lot of the players we brought in last January, they had a lot of experience behind them, a lot of games behind them. That know-how, whether that be Kieran in England with his international experience or Dan Burn with a long career in lots of different leagues, that can only make you more streetwise just by bringing that experience to the group.
"Now we have a nice mix of youth and experience. That combination, and trying just to add little bits every game of how we can manage situations better, has helped us."
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