Newcastle 1-1 Swansea: NUFC slip up against the Swans - another frustrating day at St. James'

by Olly Hawkins · Published 13 January 2018, 19:04

If you ever wanted an advert for just why we need new signings in attacking areas, today was it.

We started brightly and Swansea looked like being there for the taking, but we just could not capitalise on the chances we created, and it's come back to haunt us.

A draw (thanks to Joselu's clever angled finish) may not seem so much of a disaster after going 1-0 behind in the second half, but results elsewhere didn't really go our way and this was the biggest chance we'll get all season get three points and simultaneously to sink a relegation rivals. A point may take us that bit closer to that magic 40-point mark, but this has to go down as a massive opportunity missed - especially when we're expecting nothing next week away to Man City.

https://twitter.com/PeteGravesSky/status/952226279893413888

Gayle missed 3 or 4 very decent chances. He looks a player woefully short on confidence. As does Matt Ritchie, who seems a shadow of the player we saw last season if recent displays are anything to go by. It says it all when each one of today's starting 11 featured for us in the Championship last season (not one new signing). And it's also pretty ominous for us to see Gayle and Ritchie woefully short of form (players who scored 35 goals last season!), showing once again just how important it is to bring in some fresh attacking flair and a proven goalscorer this month.

On the flip side, good to see Mo Diame put himself about in the middle and do what he should have been doing ever since he signed from Hull 18 months ago. He's a big unit and needs to use that more. Paul Dummett makes us more solid and had a steady game and Perez looked a little more confident and keen to actually have a run at his man. CLICK HERE to see full player ratings.

13 of our last 15 league games left are against teams above us in the table and we still have to play ALL of the current top 10 - and we have only claimed ONE point when facing any the current top 10 so far this season, showing just how we've struggled to compete with superior sides. This is your warning Mike Ashley. Strengthen now or risk a real relegation scrap.

Man City away next weekend is a bit of a write off, but Burnley at home a week and a half later at St James' - a tough game but one we may need to win now after today's setback.