Pardew worry at Newcastle's points drought (From Daily Echo)

Pardew worry at Newcastle's points drought after latest defeat

9:43am Tuesday 11th December 2012 in Premier League

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits his side's lack of points is becoming a growing concern.

Last season the Magpies were the Premier League's surprise package, upsetting the odds to secure fifth in the standings.

However, this season has proved a lot more difficult talk and United sit 14th after last night's 2-1 defeat at Fulham – just two points above Pardew’s former club, Saints.

"I'm worried in so much as we are not picking up enough points, that is pretty evident," Pardew said.

"Although the performances against Stoke, Wigan and against Fulham have improved, it is a worry we don't have enough points on the board."

Newcastle have now lost five of their previous six league games but could have easily altered that statistic last night.

After Steve Sidwell broke the deadlock, Hatem Ben Arfa's leveller put Newcastle in the ascendancy until Hugo Rodallega headed home what proved to be the winner.

"Second half we had the game by the scruff of the neck really, the goal was a soft goal," Pardew said.

"We gave away a cheap free-kick and then we didn't defend that situation well at all and have come away losing a game we should've got something out of.

"We just didn't defend it well it I'm honest, we are going to have to be better - we can't concede soft goals at this level. To win that game we needed to score three at Fulham and it is really difficult to do that.

"Of course it is very, very disappointing because I believe we have an honest set of players and we work on situations and really for us it is a poor goal, I can't say no more than that really."

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