Another frustrating afternoon on the road for Newcastle United as we leave Wolves with a 0-0 draw.
It was a poor game lacking in big chances at a wet and miserable Molineux, leaving us 8th in the table and missing a chance to move 5th in a match that highlighted our lack of imagination our fluidity in the final third once again.
It’s two points dropped and a result that continues those away-day concerns, whether it’s that lack of spark in wide areas, our inability to get Woltemade into the game, the limited creativity from midfield or the fact our 66% possession lead to just two late shots on target.
Our start to 2026 has generally been a solid one, winning three of our last four before today’s draw, yet that’s now three blanks on the road in our last four away days in the league; not a great sign ahead of upcoming trips to PSG, Liverpool, Man City and Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe made four changes, as Trippier, Tonali, Barnes and Woltemade replaced Miley, Ramsey, Murphy and Wissa from the midweek defeat to Man City.
Newcastle XI: Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon
Subs: Ramsdale, Wissa, Elanga, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar, Neave, Miley
Wolves XI: Sa – Mosquera, S.Bueno, Krejci – Tchatchoua, Mane, Gomes, Andre, H.Bueno – Hwang, Arokodare.
The first half was one sided from a possession point of view, but we didn’t do enough to threaten, with too much of our play in front of Wolves.
Woltemade went close with one header and HAD to connect with another that was begging to be buried, but too many of our crosses were hopeful, corners came to nothing and we seemed reluctant to shoot, allowing Wolves to sit deep and frustrate us.
Our urgency to find a breakthrough naturally increased during the second half, but it was largely more of the same. Possession wasn’t a problem, but patterns of play were too predictable and our final ball was poor, not that we created enough chances to really say we deserved all three points.
There was the odd moment – Bruno and Joelinton tested Sa late on and both Barnes and Elanga whipped in a good ball each that evaded everyone – but it was too little too late and pretty toothless throughout, even if Wolves rarely looked like scoring at the other end.
Next up, PSV at home on Wednesday before we welcome Aston Villa to St James’ Park next Sunday.
Keep the faith. Howay the lads!
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