Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan admits his side were 'bullied' in their 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Newcastle boss bemoans second half display
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan admits his side were 'bullied' in their 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Michael Owen had headed Newcastle into the lead after four minutes, but John Carew then hit a second half hat-trick on the back of a deflected Wilfred Bouma equaliser.
The defeat means Keegan is without a win in five games since returning to Tyneside, but the Magpies boss insists he could not fault his side's first half display.
"I had no complaints about the first half at all," said Keegan. "I said to the players we had built a good platform from which to go on and win a football match.
Important
"Instead of going a goal down like we have been doing in most recent games, we went in front and handled everything Villa threw at us.
"I impressed at half-time on the players the importance of the opening 15 minutes of the second half and picking up where we left off.
"We were unlucky with Villa's first goal which took a deflection and even then (Newcastle goalkeeper) Shay Given would have saved it if he hadn't slipped and pulled his groin.
"Before you knew it, we were getting bullied, especially by Carew and (Marlon) Harewood, and they were basically doing what they wanted to do with us at times.
Disappointment
"That was the disappointing aspect and that is what I told the players. There were still some very good performances but who cares when you get beat 4-1.
"We got the lead today and still couldn't go on and win so you sort of run out of excuses in that department.
"When you look at the second half the positives are forgotten because of the negatives and we are very fragile at the moment."
And Keegan admits his side could be drawn into a Premier League relegation battle.
"I knew when I took the job we had some very tough games," Keegan added. "And we will get sucked into it if we play like that.
"We have got enough to be a Premier League club next season but you have still got to get to that 40 point mark no matter what type of club you are."
