Newcastle United may probably have taken three draws from their tough seven day away schedule at Southampton, Chelsea and Everton. That they came within a whisker of making it a win against the Saints and then goal-less draws at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park merely shows how far Eddie Howe has taken his team in a short space of time.
Not that long ago, few would have forecasted taking anything from the three difficult fixtures but the reality is Newcastle could have emerged with four or five points. United will definitely feel they can learn from the manner of the two last gasp defeats against Chelsea and the Toffees and when the dust settles after a crazy night on Merseyside, Howe will be pleased with many aspects of what has been one long road trip.
READ MORE - Magpies fall to heartbreaking late goal
Where Newcastle were at the same 29-game stage last season - 2021 vs 2022
Newcastle players and coaching staff emerged from the changing rooms after a 3-0 defeat at Brighton fearing the worst after Steve Bruce's side barely laid a glove on the South Coast team. The defeat left them on 28 points with Fulham just behind them in third bottom position.
Stubborn Mike Ashley refused to sack Bruce, due to the sizeable compensation package needed, and once players got word that the former Manchester United skipper was staying the squad bucked their ideas up with a late-season run to finish 12th. Going into the last nine matches this time around, Newcastle 31 points and are closing in on safety. Two wins from the last nine games might be enough.
And the players are in a much better place than 12 months ago under Howe and under new ownership. True, a big summer of transfers is expected and for some squad members there could be uncertainty on futures, but between now and the end of May, it promises to be a positive environment.
Bruno Guimaraes oozes class and performance hints at exciting times ahead
The Brazil international was head and shoulders above the rest in terms of class and quality in the middle of the park. Bruno had 86 touches and was always looking to unlock Newcastle attacks.
Bruno came in for £33.5million from Lyon in January as United beat off stiff competition from Arsenal and Juventus for his services. The midfielder didn't want or ask for a relegation release clause because he felt that he could lift the team from the doldrums with half a season left - and he's done exactly that.
After patiently waiting for his chance, Howe has a selection headache in midfield moving forward but Bruno must surely be the first name on the team sheet from here on in. It is now about getting the right blend of players around him. If this is the calibre of player Newcastle are expected to sign moving forward - with the owners talking about title challenges and Champions League football - the next turnover of recruitment is going to be exciting.
What Newcastle have to learn after two late defeats
Eddie Howe said it himself a few weeks ago: "If you can't win, don't lose". The Magpies were on the cusp of a point against Chelsea but collapsed in the final stages.
The defeat at Stamford Bridge unfolded with injustice raging around the pitch from a Newcastle point of view but even after a shocking refereeing display, United needed to take better care of the ball with a very creditable draw slipping through their fingers. At Goodison Park, Howe's team were arguably caught in two minds after Allan was sent off to reduce the hosts to 10 men.
True, the win was there for them to go for against 10 players but a point would still have been a good result after a long week on the road. It is very much a learning curve for the squad under new management.
Back in the day, in both games, older fans will know the club's greatest ever player Alan Shearer would have had that ball deep in the corner and eating away the seconds. Shearer's craftiness and late game know-how should be embedded in Newcastle's play book.
