Newcastle wasted an excellent chance to move clear of the relegation zone when they could only draw 0-0 with a poor Charlton side on Saturday after dominating the game. Unfortunately possession does not win games, goals do - and Newcastle had one of those days where they just couldn’t beg, steal or borrow a goal.

Young Giuseppe Rossi made his first start and looked what he is - a young star in the making - but even he was unable to break the deadlock though it was not for the want of trying and he did manage to hit the cross-bar with an opportunist effort.

Newcastle attacked for about 80% of the game but the anxiety of the players was there to see as they missed a number of chances that on another day would have been put away. Damien Duff played up front with Rossi but this is not his best position though he gave 100% all-out effort as usual.

The midfield duo of Parker and Butt were dominant under the watching eye of Steve McClaren and Butt had another decent game in which he got the job done.

The defense was OK under very little pressure but still doesn’t give supporters any confidence - certainly when Bramble is in the side anything can happen and he had one of his moments in the second half - when he slipped at exactly the wrong moment - and allowed Darren Bent a clear chance but Bent shot high and wide.

Charlton looked a very poor side but to their credit they didn’t give up and the defense was dogged and determined in their fight to salvage a point but this form will not keep them up this season.

If the truth be told it looks like Newcastle are in a relegation battle now but the next two games against Sheffield United and Manchester City could see them pull away. Newcastle have played relatively well in a number of games where they have not secured the points they deserved - and this was one of those games.

As witnessed in this game they badly need someone who can put the ball in the net and Rossi will probably be back to Manchester United come January so it is important that they sign a striker and a dominating center back at the very least.

Newcastle never fail to surprise and who would think they would be in this position after performing so brilliantly during the final four months of last season - but that’s Newcastle United….completely unpredictable.