It was in 2012 that former Chairman Derek Llambias spoke about a team full of "purples", a reference to creating an elite starting XI but not splashing cash on any other players in those positions.

That comment came to mind today as the Magpies looked powerless to prevent a winning scoreline becoming a losing one - and it wasn't just because of the colour of the opposition's kit.

A situation exacerbated by the absence of what could be reasonably termed super-subs Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson meant that when Fulham's resurgence became tangible, Newcastle's options from the bench to counteract that sat somewhere between flimsy and non-existent; something that is difficult to understand considering that Eddie Howe could perm five from nine replacements.

Notwithstanding the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly for over £30m to move the inbound total towards £100m, the prospect of ending a third successive transfer window with no signings to strengthen or freshen the squad made even more unpalatable as other clubs spend with impunity.

Were home fans to have sung anything aside from a fleeting chorus of something to do with the Champions League at 1-0, a lusty rendition of "F&ck PSR" may have been in order. 

To be writing this about a side that have won ten out of their last twelve games could be deemed fickle, but signs of losing momentum have been evident in each of the last four games - even if two of those ended in victories for Newcastle. Anyone involved with Wolves may be excused for kicking themselves when watching what Bournemouth and Fulham then went and did on Tyneside.

Some frustrations evident in the early months of this season threaten to reappear; games when we were capable of playing excellently and terribly within the same move, never mind the same half. Making multiple changes also muddies the waters; the added dilemma this week of how to conserve those finite resources ahead of Wednesday's pivotal meeting with Arsenal.

Allied to that transfer window frustration, our low mood post-match was also attributed to fears that the club are again attempting to ride their luck over the coming weeks and months - something that long-standing members of the gloom army have witnessed to their cost (Shola putting his back out at Fulham in 2011, hours after the sale of Andy Carroll sticks in the mind).  

It's one thing to be concerned about European qualification, quite another to contemplate a situation where both of our cup campaigns have concluded in a week's time. It's not that we're unused to this situation, it's more that the arrival of PIF raised hopes that those days were finally over. 

Anyway, back to Saturday and Newcastle suffered back-to-back home defeats for the first time since January 2023, worryingly allowing Fulham to come from behind and complete a league double.

Unchanged from the side that won 3-1 at Southampton last Saturday, the Magpies went in at half time one goal to the good thanks to Murphy's first-time finish following a centre by Anthony Gordon.

Some early promise from the hosts wasn't maintained and there was little to stir the home crowd until Sandro Tonali's howitzer rattled the crossbar moments before Murphy's opener.

That interval advantage was just about deserved as the visitors played some fluent football, but lacked any sort of bite in the final third of the pitch. Signs that would change soon came in the second period though; warning shots from Smith Rowe (saved) and Jimenez (wide).

They weren't heeded and Fulham duly equalised when a Raul Jimenez shot deflecting in off Murphy to end a flowing move that began with a misplaced Tonali pass at the other end of the pitch.

Alexander Isak was denied by the crossbar and substitute Joe Willock missed his kick completely when United's top scorer pulled the back to him, but other than a penalty claim for handball that was almost immediately discounted, the home side struggled to test Bernd Leno. 

There were unwelcome echoes of our early season struggles when our main attacking ploy was the diagonal ball from Fabian Schar as Fulham enjoyed greater possession and attacked menacingly. 

They then completed their comeback when Rodrigo Muniz touched home a free-kick from Andreas Perreira - Murphy's second unwelcome involvement seeing him commit the avoidable foul.

The Magpies remained in fifth position after the day's results but Chelsea could make that sixth on Monday if they avoid defeat at home to West Ham United.

Of more immediate concern is which Newcastle side turns up for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal at Gallowgate. That two goal advantage looks rather less secure in the light of this sluggish display, coming after a rare free week. 

Biffa

We're sorry to record the passing of Roger Douglass (pictured below with Fairs Cup hero Wyn Davies). Former Chairman of the Newcastle United London Supporters Club, Roger was a familiar face wherever United played and attended the club's 60th anniversary celebrations last November. RIP.