Baffled Eddie Howe hits back at "bizarre" criticism 

Head coach Eddie Howe has hit out at accusations that his Newcastle side are ‘time wasters’, and agrees with Sam Allardyce’s recent claims that ‘every’ Premier League side is guilty of running down the clock when it suits them.

Speaking in his press conference yesterday, 'Big Sam’ told press that ‘everyone’ time wastes', name-checking Jurgen Klopp Liverpool and Erik Ten Hag Man Utd - two sides he believes ‘do it as well’.

This morning, Howe was asked about the issue during his pre-Leeds press conference and was quick to defend his team and address his frustrations at the ongoing complaint. He seemed baffled, insisting there has been a 'lot of talk' about something he has never encouraged.

The idea of time-wasting is in the spotlight once again following Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat against Arsenal, where the visitors feigned injury, delayed goal kicks and played every trick in the book to see out the game at St James' Park. Some claim it was a taste of our own medicine, saying Howe’s side have routinely kept the ball out of play for as long as possible in recent games - something which the boss has labelled ‘bizarre’. 

Check out what Eddie Howe said in his press conference below: