Forest draw poses 'more questions than answers'

[BBC]

[Getty Images]

I started this season excited about the Champions League, excited about cup runs, excited about the development of our players and to see how Newcastle United continued to add to the last few seasons of progress.

I seem to be ending the season relieved that we're mathematically safe from relegation. Much to consider.

This weekend saw us draw at Nottingham Forest after taking the lead. That's a massive 27 points dropped from leading positions this season alone. You'll never sing that etc.

I find myself frustrated by our teamsheet in the 75 minutes before a game. Sometimes, I am wrong. I'm not too proud to admit that (she says, swallowing bile). I was startled by the line-up against Brighton and we won that game. On Sunday, I found myself surprised again as the team was announced and it looked suspiciously like a back five. OK! Let's try it.

Except we didn't try it because what actually happened was that potentially England's best left-back, Lewis Hall, was played at right-back. Yes, Nick Woltemade came in and played up top with William Osula, which was nice, but he also seemed to have a fluid midfield type role which I consider less nice. For him.

Eddie Howe's post-match comments for the last two games have been very interesting to me. Post-Brighton, he said he had picked the players he could "trust", which seemed like pointed language from a man not usually flippant with words.

After this weekend's game, he said that he had picked the players based on who would be here in the future. Ostensibly this answer was about Kieran Trippier, who has already announced he'll be leaving, but left a bit of a question mark over Anthony Gordon, who was also not selected.

Another game and another news conference that leaves me with more questions than answers.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast