Just how long Roeder is to stay in charge remains unclear – publicly, there was no comment today on reports Martin O’Neill has verbally agreed to take the job in the summer, although in private, the claims were met with surprise, while Mark Hughes odds’ were slashed dramatically yesterday – but the Turkish international is confident the belief has returned to the squad.

That will be tested to the full by an ongoing injury crisis which, it emerged after last night’s game, has claimed Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble with hamstring strains for three weeks apiece, with Everton due on Tyneside on Saturday evening.

“The main aim for us before the game was to get three points,” said Emre. “That didn’t happen, so we take a point. It is important that we did not lose, and it keeps the run going.

“I think the luck has changed. I have noticed a more positive attitude around the dressing room when we have not been losing games, and that was still there after Charlton.

“It was a frustrating night for us. We did not create a lot of chances and they were a hard side to break down.

“I think they were happy with a point, but they had a threat in attack and our defence played well again to keep another clean sheet.

“We are disappointed not to win, of course, but as I say, we did not lose the match and we can now look forward to Everton.

“Maybe a few weeks ago when things were not going so well for us, we would have lost the game after a performance like that. We must take the positives.”

One of those positives for former Magpies defender Roeder was a third clean sheet in four games since he took over from Graeme Souness as a defence which has come in for biting criticism held firm after 17-goal striker Darren Bent belatedly found his feet.

With Steven Taylor and Craig Moore injured and Celestine Babayaro suspended, the temporary boss had few options when he named his back four, and Bramble’s absence will cause him a major headache despite the Nigerian’s return for the weekend.

However, he saw in the performance of the much-maligned £8m (€11.8m) Frenchman Jean-Alain Boumsong following Bramble’s 55th-minute departure signs the penny has dropped.

“When Titus went off, Jean-Alain seemed to take on all the responsibility, and it was almost if he said to himself: ’I am the man now,’” he said.

“He started winning all the headers and challenges and he did a lot better, and what we need from him is a massive performance against Everton on Saturday night.

“It has been very tough for him because of the amount of criticism he has had this season, and I can only assume that he has seen and heard about all that.

“It has put him under great pressure and when he has made mistakes, it has obviously affected his confidence.

“But he’s a good trainer and a good listener and in and around the training ground, he is a big strong man and he has taken it all on the chin.”