Alan Pardew disappointed with his Newcastle United side as they squander three-goal lead to draw with West Brom

Steven Taylor, Newcastle United

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Alan Pardew revealed his disappointment with his Newcastle United side as they squandered a three-goal lead to draw with West Brom at St James’ Park.

Goals from Steven Taylor, Peter Lovenkrands and a Jonas Olsson own goal had put the Magpies 3-0 up with 47 minutes played, but a remarkable Somen Tchoyi hat-trick gave the Baggies a share of the points.

Pardew believes the loss of key players and lapses in concentration cost his side, as they slipped from ninth in the table to 12th during the course of the afternoon.

He told reporters: “Yes, I am disappointed – it was a funny game.

“We were 3-0 up, even though I’m not sure we deserved to be that far ahead.

“There had been big errors from them and at that point we were seeing the game out and it didn’t look like there would be a problem – the crowd were enjoying themselves.

“But then we gifted them a goal. After that, we couldn’t get back up to speed and never looked like penetrating them again.

“I thought four or five of our players were starting to struggle with the amount of time they have had out – Danny Guthrie had been out a long time, Kazenga Lua-Lua has been out for five months and came off the bench, but I think he’s struggled to pick up the pace of the game.

“We started to really struggle towards the end. I think that’s just a reflection of where we really are as a squad at the moment. So many players missing, so many of our top players missing. 

“So although I’m disappointed I’m trying to keep myself in the zone of saying it’s been a great effort this year and we mustn’t get away from that. It’s been a tremendous effort from these players.

“We lost Hatem Ben Arfa injury and Andy Carroll sold, and in terms of finishing where we have I think that’s probably about fair and I think we need to build on that next year.

“I thought the game reflected the season for us, we were brilliant at times and rubbish at the end. We’ve had those kind of games – I think that’s the inconsistency that we need to eradicate and quality players bring consistency and that’s always been usually the rule.

“That’s the level we’re at. Of course it’s frustrating – we should have seen the game out we should have won.”

Pardew also praised the performance of youngster Shane Ferguson, who has excelled for Newcastle since his leap into first-team football after injuries to key players left the Toon short on players, but warned he has a long way to go before he’s the finished article.

He said: “I was really pleased with him, he’s just struggling, a young boy like that, with the pace of the game in terms of staying the course.

“I’ve had to sub him in two or three games now where he just struggles towards the end. That strength will come, but his talent was there for all to see. He was a real shining light today.”

The Magpies boss also outlined the importance of securing captain Kevin Nolan to a long-term deal at St James’ Park and has insisted that he will not be drawn into a battle to overpay possible free agents at the end of the season.

He added: “My priorities are to make sure the guys are seen off properly. Their programmes are all sorted for the summer and we head to the summer looking for quality players to add to the group.

“I think a lot of players and agents are manoeuvring at the moment, whether there is other interest or there are other clubs hanging on for a more lucrative offer.

“I think that’s what most agents are going to do at this time they are not going to advise to sign at this point in time. We’ve got to be in there pitching and battling away and that’s what we’re going to do.

“I think we want to secure Kevin, I certainly do. They are difficult deals but that’s the process you are in, in the Premier League every contract at this level is difficult and Kevin’s will be no less difficult than anyone else.”