EDDIE Howe pointed to the positives and a couple were clear and obvious: the resilience of his Newcastle side is something to be applauded, as is a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

But is this current approach sustainable? Is the chaos benefiting Newcastle or are the Magpies finding a way to get results in spite of it?

Howe actually disagreed with suggestions Saturday's draw with Bournemouth was chaotic but it was hardly controlled. The second half in particular swung this way and that and even after Matt Ritchie's stoppage time leveller, the Cherries had chances to win it.

It you're a neutral it's entertaining, of that there is no doubt, and Newcastle will rarely be last on Match of the Day if this current trend continues. But if the Magpies want European football next season or if they're to stand any chance of winning the FA Cup, there's no getting away from the fact they need to tighten up at the back.

They've now conceded 20 goals in their seven fixtures since Boxing Day and although Liverpool and Manchester City were in the opposition corner during that spell, so too were relegation threatened Nottingham Forest, twice, and Luton as well as a Bournemouth side that headed for St James' Park on Saturday winless in their last five outings. It's Arsenal next.

For what it's worth, in a seven game period from Boxing Day onwards last season, Newcastle conceded just two goals.

"If you look at it a bit closer, those goals that have come against us, the majority have come in the last couple of months," said Howe, when quizzed on the goals against column.

"I'm not making excuses, that's just fact and there are valid reasons for why we haven't been as solid defensively as we were earlier in the season.

"Of course we're looking for ways to try and be more solid, nothing has changed in the way we plan, but we haven't been as solid in the last few weeks and that's something we have to try and change and rectify."

READ MORE:

In terms of those "valid reasons", the absence of Nick Pope is clearly a major factor. Martin Dubravka has been solid and made two fine first half saves on Saturday before his costly and unfortunate slip gifted Dominic Solanke the opener, but Pope's presence has been missed. So too have several players in midfield.

In terms of how Newcastle tighten up, Howe doesn't have too many options when it comes to changing personnel, though the calls for Tino Livramento to replace Dan Burn will again increase after another difficult afternoon for the Geordie full-back.  Bournemouth followed Luton's lead in targeting Newcastle's left side. Antoine Semenyo - the scorer of their second goal - was a threat throughout.

"I'm well aware and I think people who watch us regularly are aware that we're not at full power at the moment, we're not at our fluent best but I think the reasons for that are obvious," said Howe.

"We are a bit disjointed, we had players playing today who maybe wouldn't be in their best positions given a free hand. But everyone is giving as much as they can to get consistent results.

"We have to look at the positives, it's another game unbeaten for us. We're getting points where we went through a spell when we weren't. That was a big late goal for us, it just keeps that momentum."

Newcastle's character isn't in question. They fought back against Luton, won at Nottingham Forest despite being twice pegged back and twice recovered from falling behind against Bournemouth.

It's also credit to Howe that his side have only been outscored by Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal this season despite the Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak injury issues. Strengthening up-front will surely be a summer priority, though who will be heading up the transfer strategy remains unclear. Dan Ashworth was at St James' Park on Saturday but will it prove to be his last home game as Newcastle's sporting director?

In the absence of Isak and Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy all had stints up-front on Saturday.

"You're going to miss players of that quality, I'm not denying that," said Howe of his two absent strikers.

Howe often talks up the importance of his fringe figures and who'd have predicted Matt Ritchie being Saturday's hero? Almost four years on from his last goal, the former Bournemouth winger salvaged a point in the 92nd minute, less than 60 seconds after being introduced.

It rounded off a dramatic second half, which started with Dubravka's slip and the easiest of Solanke's 14 league goals this season. The lead lasted just seven minutes, with Gordon managing to maintain composure during a lengthy VAR check after Fabian Schar tumbled in the box. When Michael Salisbury was finally sent to the monitor and then pointed to the spot, Gordon made no mistake. He's not a natural striker but he deserved the goal for a tireless display.

Newcastle's tails should have been up but Bournemouth were galvanised by the penalty decision they disagreed with and thought they'd won it after Semenyo charged at Burn and struck low into Dubravka's far corner - only for Ritchie to rescue a point for the Magpies.