Eddie Howe: The PSG War incident reinforced our view that everyone is against Newcastle

Photo: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United's controversial Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain -Germain» only reinforced the belief that people want them to fail.

Howe remained calm after his side were denied a famous victory over PSG after late intervention from official Ware resulted in The home side were awarded a late penalty, but the Newcastle manager believes the club's burning sense of injustice is fueling an us-against-the-world mentality.

Since the club was bought by a consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund in 2021, Newcastle have been aware of the growing hostility towards them in the Premier League.

«We have to try to use this as motivation,» Howe said ahead of Saturday night's highly anticipated home game against Manchester United. “I don't know if that feeling should be unfair, but if it helps some players reach their full potential in this game, I'm all for it. “It’s a different day, a different competition. I always wanted to feel like we were against everyone except Newcastle. This helps us. It's a good mentality to have when we're competing with everyone else.

“It's definitely benefited us at the moment, so if it helps the players, great. I don't think I needed to develop that (us against the world mentality) strategically. I think this happened.

Howe and his coaching staff were furious after the final whistle in Paris. Photo: Getty Images/Mark Atkins

“There were events that really led us down this path. I think this is relevant for us. I think it's in our psychology. It's powerful. This is a powerful tool.

“I really think we need to use that and embrace that to try and bring this group closer together, bring our team closer together and bring the whole club together. To bring us closer to our supporters, to let them know that we fight with everyone else to achieve success. I think that's a really healthy image to have in our heads. We didn't have to distort anything. I don't think we had to make it up. Certain events (such as attempts by Premier League clubs to change sponsorship and transfer rules) have occurred and we are fighting with all the other Premier League teams to succeed.”

Vare's wrongful intervention in Paris took place. also reinforced Howe's position that the ever-increasing use of technology to referee matches will «ruin the game.»

«I'd like to see less VAR,» he added. «I don't have a problem with offsides because it's as close to the truth as you can get: whether you agree with the decision, the lines give you a black and white yes or no.

» Otherwise, I'm not a fan. I still think it's just another person's opinion versus another person's opinion. This is very subjective. I'd like to see less. I definitely wouldn't want to see more because I think it would ruin the game.»