Kieran Trippier does not understand why people are “kicking off” at Newcastle United’s perceived time-wasting after Erik ten Hag called it “annoying”.
The Manchester United manager made the comment ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final meeting with Newcastle at Wembley, saying thee Magpies are an “annoying team to play against”.
Eddie Howe’s men have the ball in play for just 52.3 per cent of a match, the second lowest in the Premier League this season behind Leeds United.
But Howe’s tactics are working as Newcastle are competing for European qualification while also having the chance to end a 54-year major trophy drought against the Red Devils.
Trippier is confused over the criticism his team is receiving, telling reporters: “I love it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
“But I have experienced it a lot in Spain. It’s about knowing when to slow a game down. If the opposition are having more of the ball and are on top, of course you’ve got to kill the game. You’re not going to take a quick throw-in and say, ‘Carry on’. You have to manage the game.
“Some teams are not happy with us this season, but it’s about being clever in that moment, about using your experience. Opposition fans are not going to like it either, because it’s against their team. But as a neutral, I think it’s good to see. I don’t see why everyone’s kicking off about it, it’s good!”
Asked whether Newcastle plan to use the same tactics at Wembley, Trippier replied: “Of course we will.
“You’ve got to have that mentality. If you want to win, if you want to be successful, you have to be cute in every single game.
“You look at teams like Real Madrid and how successful they have been, and they’ve had players like Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and they were the best at it. If you want to be successful, you have to manage the game well, and at the right time.”
