As Newcastle are about to embark on three successive home matches which can guarantee their safety and prolonged membership of the Premier League let us remember from whence they came. United's first win of what was a torturous season failed to come until December 4, their 15th attempt in the league and 16th overall. Fellow flops Burnley squeezed out 1-0 up here.
Come the new year United were still second bottom when embarrassingly knocked out of the FA Cup at home by League One Cambridge. Relegation was not just a concern it was an all-consuming fear. So three defeats in a row that have tempered enthusiasm only confirm the reality that Newcastle are nowhere near being a top half of the table side as yet.
Remember the five-goal humiliation at Tottenham came against a team which while it may possess the awesome power of Harry Kane and Son is still fighting to try and make fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Spurs are well short of the all round quality of Manchester City and Liverpool, who Newcastle still have to play incidentally.
READ MORE: Five priorities Newcastle United's owners must get right in the next six months
No, Eddie Howe and his revivalists did more than could be expected to create a nine-match unbeaten run which edged them towards safety but building bricks are still required in the construction of what is coveted and that has to be realised. All the old cliches apply . . . Rome wasn't built in a day, we must walk before we can run. Think of any more?
Progress has been made unquestionably or United would be heading down to join the dead men it's just that the steps are predictably more measured than those in a miracle. Talk of Champions League and trophies in the near future does little to create the reality of a building programme.
So it is on to Wolves for an early start on a Friday night and, yes, a stern confrontation given they have become over achievers under a new manager who are shooting for Europe's lesser competition. However Wolves with be without two of their quality players. Raul Jimenez will serve the final game of his suspension while Ruben Neves is suffering from a knee injury which is expected to keep him out until May.
The Raul blow was somewhat tempered by the performance of his deputy, teenager Fabio Silva, in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Bruno Lage is likely to stick with Silva, but the head coach does have the option of reintroducing Hwang Hee-chan to his starting line-up. Pedro Neto has also recovered from a recent foot injury which saw him miss games with Everton and Leeds.
Newcastle? Well anything can happen. Bruno Guimaraes ought to be back for his full home debut but after that do they play with a flat back four or a five, does skipper Jamaal Lascelles return, does Allan Saint-Maximin start at home, and does Chris Wood score a goal? Indeed does ASM stay or go? Should he stay or go?
Joe Harvey once sold his best player and entertainer Alan Suddick so he could buy three others, establish the club on a sound footing, and move on towards what became European success. Sometimes one step backwards comes before two forward.
I'm not saying Saint-Maximin ought to be jettisoned in the summer. What I am saying is that a big decision has to be made. And it must turn out to be right.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
