Newcastle fans shouldn't be too despondent after Wolves draw

Terry Connor's Wolves fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Alan Pardew's Newcastle

Newcastle 2-2 Wolves

It was certainly a case of two points dropped rather than one point gained for Newcastle United this afternoon against Wolves.

However, fans need to keep a sense of perspective rather than vilify the players who have taken the club to an improbable position in the top six of the Premier League.

People can be excused for being frustrated with the way Alan Pardew's team threw away a 2-0 lead against the side from the Black Country, with defensive lapses becoming far too common in recent weeks.

But if someone had suggested before the season began that Newcastle would be in sixth place going into March and just three points shy of the Champions League places, most would have laughed in their face.

Of course, it is important the Magpies follow up their superb start to the season by securing a place in Europe, and performances like the one against Wolves will not help them achieve that.

They were sloppy in possession, shaky at the back and lacked a general attacking threat as the game went on and that will be a concern to Pardew as the team he selected is arguably his full-strength side minus the stricken Steven Taylor.

Demba Ba was starved of service, Yohan Cabaye didn't look at his best in midfield and Mike Williamson continued his poor run of form, while several others struggled to make an impact when Pardew needed them.

It all looked rosy for Newcastle though as they went 2-0 ahead within 18 minutes, with Papiss Cisse scoring a poacher's effort and Jonas Gutierrez netting a scorching second.

Aside from a magnificent save to deny Danny Simpson though, visiting goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was rarely troubled.

Wolves' confidence seemed to grow with every successful pass and a point was the least they deserved for their endeavour.

If new manager Terry Connor can inspire his side to this sort of performance week in, week out for the remainder of the season, they surely won't be relegated.

In truth, Newcastle's 2-0 half-time lead flattered them.

They had certainly improved markedly on their showing in the first 45 minutes of their last game at Tottenham - they couldn't be any worse than that - but the signs were there that Wolves were not out of it.

Within five minutes of the restart, Connor's side were back in the game courtesy of a deflected Matt Jarvis effort and the industrious Kevin Doyle put them on level terms on 66 minutes after Williamson failed to clear a Jamie O'Hara free-kick.

Doyle's equaliser was a reward for his and Wolves' hard work

Danny Guthrie and Hatem Ben Arfa were introduced by Pardew immediately before the equaliser and the latter looked the most likely player in black and white to score a winner.

Ben Arfa twice shot wide but although he provided the biggest threat to Wolves' largely solid defence, he also frustrated in equal measure with his use of the ball.

As for Guthrie, the less said about his performance the better.

He has arguably been Newcastle's best player in recent weeks and was extremely unfortunate to be left out of the starting eleven to make way for the returning Cheik Tiote.

However, he barely made one successful pass and the impetus his introduction should have given the Magpies was severely lacking.

Guthrie can't be blamed for the draw though - the fact is the team as a whole deserved no more than a point.

Wolves could even be considered unlucky not to have taken all three points away from St James' Park, and Connor will be delighted by the efforts of his players.

Deposed boss Mick McCarthy must be wondering why they didn't play like that for him during his final weeks at the club.

On the evidence of this game, there are certainly worse teams in the Premier League than Wolves and they should have no serious problems with avoiding relegation.

If Newcastle are to be considered Champions League - or even Europa League - material though these are the matches they need to be winning.

Pardew admitted after the draw that it felt like a defeat but the situation is far from doom and gloom on the pitch for the club's supporters.

Pardew will have been disappointed with the way his side surrendered a two-goal advantage

There have been too many off days recently but, overall, Magpies fans should be delighted with where their club currently stands.

A top six finish is certainly still within their grasps and next weekend's mouthwatering derby clash with Sunderland could be exactly what they need to get the last two games out of their system.

It would have been nice for them to get a simple win against Wolves but this is Newcastle United we are talking about. It is extremely rare for them to do anything the easy way and that is why this season has been so refreshing.

It has been largely steady and rewarding - albeit with a few bumps along the way - and there are still far more positives than negatives.

The Wolves draw was certainly disappointing for Newcastle but in the grand scheme of things, it was a minor blip.

They shouldn't be drawing games from a position of a two-goal lead and their passing and defending need to improve, but now is certainly not the time to panic.

Newcastle are still in the top six and merit that position, so the players deserve continued backing from the fans.

Some of those players are punching well above their weight and will make mistakes from time to time, but they are all doing honest jobs and helping to provide Newcastle with their best season in quite some time.

The prospect of the Champions League is tantalising but the true goal must be a place in the top seven, or top six if possible.

Newcastle are still having a superb season and it is important people do not lose sight of that - however frustrating days like this are.