Karl Henry: “I can’t believe the fuss about it. It’s been blown out of all proportion and it’s just because it was Joey Barton – if it was anyone else it probably wouldn’t even have been mentioned.
“I don’t know what everyone is up in arms about. The stats at the end of the game showed that Newcastle had committed one more foul than us.
“But that’s what it was – a competitive game.
“We were getting stuck in, so were they. Andy Carroll was knocking into our defenders and there were a lot of things going on during that game.
“But did we target Joey Barton or sit down before the game and say lets get him? No, we didn’t. It’s absolute rubbish to say that.
“I watched it back and I think there were seven tackles on Barton.
“He probably was given a bit of a rough time but the majority of them were fair tackles.
“It was probably just the last one which was a bit reckless and a bit high. I admit that and I regret that, but the rest were fair game.
“I’m looking forward to the return game at St James’ Park. Getting booed or anything like that won’t bother me, to be honest.
“Having 50,000 or so people booing me isn’t really a concern, I’ll just play my game and do my job.
“Newcastle seem like they’ve got a bit of steel about them and I think that we have as well.
“We found out last season that we need to work hard, battle for everything and not give anyone an inch because there are better teams than us in the division.
“I think Newcastle seem like they’ll do the same, and it’s a good starting point.
“We’ve improved as well and I don’t think either of us will be in trouble.”