Dubravka is only saving grace for Toon team which just cannot win

Southampton 0 Newcastle 0

NEWCASTLE United climbed off the foot of the Premier League table following a dire goalless draw with Southampton at St Mary’s.

The Magpies claimed only their third point of the campaign - the previous two have also come from stalemates away from home - by putting in a dogged, if unadventurous, display on the south coast.

Martin Dubravka had to thwart the home side with three excellent saves, whereas Newcastle failed to muster a shot on target in a game devoid of quality.

However, following Huddersfield Town’s 3-0 defeat at Watford, Newcastle actually climbed above the Terriers and up to second bottom.

Here is what we learned from an afternoon of football to forget at St Mary’s...

1. Newcastle’s lack of creativity is alarming

Ahead of the game, Rafa Benitez confirmed Salomon Rondon was back fit and would be in the squad - but the manager’s tone always suggested the Venezuelan was not ready to start.

Instead, with Rondon named on the bench, Benitez continuing with Yoshinori Muto up front and Spaniard Ayoze Perez just off the Japan international.

Given Newcastle enjoyed 68 per cent possession, 27 shots and launched 41 crosses into the box during the 1-0 defeat to Brighton, seemingly Benitez was confident this side could actually complete that crucial final step of finding the net.

Interestingly, it is understood the United manager considered playing Fabian Schar in a more defensive lineup but eventually deemed the same XI he played at St James’ Park last weekend would be even more effective on the road.

Given Muto, Perez and Kenedy all boast pace, Benitez clearly hoped to see his side reproduce the excellent counter-attacking display they put in at Old Trafford in their previous away game.

During the first half at least, Newcastle failed to turn promising positions into opportunities.

Muto, Kenedy, DeAndre Yedlin and Perez all found themselves in space in the final third at regular intervals - but their final decision was lacking.

After the break, however, Newcastle did not extra get themselves into dangerous areas.

Instead, they huffed and puffed - but did not once force Alex McCarthy in the opposition goal to make a save.

The lack of creativity in this Newcastle side really is concerning - whether they dominate possession or not they simply do not look like scoring.

Until they start finding the back of the net with regularity, they are only going to slip further into trouble.

2. Even an attempt to manufacture an atmosphere could not save this woeful match

With Southampton having won just one of their last 15 home games, the Saints’ hierarchy attempted to generate an atmosphere by handing out clappers to supporters who have become disillusioned by their team’s displays at St Mary’s.

Newcastle, too, have laboured on home turf - the Magpies have lost all five of their matches on Tyneside so far this season - but clearly the Saints had The Newcastle United team look been struggling badly in front of their own supporters.

Alongside the clappers, strategically-placed speakers also surrounded the perimeter of the pitch from which almost deafening music blasted out during the build-up.

In this correspondent’s opinion, loud music so close to kick-off actually has a negative effect - but clearly Southampton think otherwise.

As the players emerged from the tunnel, pyrotechnics greeted the teams - while the clappers started but could barely be heard above the music.

Once the game kicked off, my suspicions proved correct - the away supporters the only fans who could regularly be heard during a drab first half at St Mary’s.