Eddie Howe claims it was a ‘strong performance’ by Newcastle in goalless draw at Wolves

Eddie Howe bemoaned Newcastle’s inability to create many meaningful chances as his side played out a desperately poor goalless draw at rock-bottom Wolves this afternoon.

Despite having around £200million worth of attacking talent on the pitch at various times in Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, the visitors did not manage a shot on target until the 85th minute.

Wolves were little better and the game drifted for long periods on a dank afternoon at Molineux.

Howe told BBC Match of the Day: ”We controlled the game but we didn’t have the cutting edge today. Chance creation was an issue.

“They defended well, very low, compact and it was difficult for us to find space. We were looking for a moment of magic from an individual or set play. We had the opportunities as the game went on but we didn’t take them.

“The endeavour was there, the effort was there, but maybe the quality wasn’t in the final third. It was a game where we had possession and tried to find a way through and I think we did better the longer we went on. We were just looking for a moment and we didn’t take it.

“We protected the goal well today for the away side, and that is the real positive for today. We are disappointed not to win.

“When you get a point, you see the negative but later on you maybe see the positive, who knows. It was a strong performance today just without the goalmouth action.”

Wolves are making good steps forward – Edwards

The draw extended Wolves’ unbeaten run to five games in all competitions but they remain 14 points from safety with just 16 games to go.

Boss Rob Edwards said: “A really solid performance, really committed and we showed a lot of spirit. Newcastle are obviously a very good team. I thought without the ball we had lots of control. When we had to attack we did, we looked a threat on the counter-attack.

“It was a really committed performance. People will look at results and think it has clicked all of a sudden, but performances were there before that.

“They have got very good players but overall the game went how we expected it to. I am really pleased with the clean sheet, we don’t give much away.

“We are not there yet, we understand there is a lot of work still. The boys are with it, the crowd were with us all throughout the game. We are making some good steps forward.”