Forget Formations – Newcastle Need to Show Some Fight at Palace
We've all spent enough time recently discussing formations and whether or not Jaissle should change direction - but we need to change direction and talk about the one thing that affects performance whatever and whoever starts on Saturday at Crystal Palace.
The determination, fighting spirit and belief of the players selected for the match.
Without that from the KO and right through to the final whistle, all of the tactical plans worked on in training are doomed to fail.
After three defeats in our last four Premier League matches, including two 4-1 hammerings and a thoroughly disappointing home defeat against Aston Villa, the one thing we fans want to see above all else is a positive fighting attitude and reaction.
It's a cliche, but when the going gets tough the tough get going.
And on the pitch that means no hiding from the ball, no backing off challenges, no shirking from taking on your man, no standing around when the oppo have the ball and no heads going down if Palace score first.
In short; nothing else but 100% effort and total commitment to not getting beat.
Whatever formation or tactics Jaissle has discussed in training, or with the leadership group, above all else he has to show his own leadership and fire up the squad to prove to themselves and us fans that the 'easy to play against' tag is about to be binned.
Two consecutive away 4-1 defeats have been a stroll for Leeds and Coventry and, whatever injuries or other reasons are bandied about, the fact is the limp and weak performances were totally unacceptable.
When you play the way we have in the last four matches, and in fact all season, Newcastle are a joy to play against and a defensive disaster waiting to happen.
Other teams know it, most fans know it, the media know it, and if Jaissle and the squad don't know it and do something about it starting at Palace on Saturday...
We'll have a full blown crisis at SJP after the whistle blows at Selhurst park.
Palace Is An Opportunity, We Have To Take It
Despite everything I've written above, one good performance and one good win can instantly change the mood of the manager, players and us fans.
Especially if that good performance is a 90 minute force of energy, fight, and no shortage of quality where we dominate possession, control the game, create chances, score goals and are defensively solid.
That's what well drilled teams do match after match and Jaissle needs to start getting near to that consistency - whatever formation or players he selects - soon or the pressure building up on him will blow a valve.
There's no better opportunity to start than against Crystal Palace.
Just like Newcastle they've only had one win in their last four games and were hammered 5-0 last time out.
Like us they have a new manager, Pierre Sage, who is already coming under criticism from fans and the local media after shipping 17 goals in his opening 7 games - the highest in the PL to date and three more than we've conceded.
Like Jaissle, Sage desperately needs a win to calm the nerves of fans and the increasing clamour for his head.
The PL is not just ruthless on the pitch, it's ruthless in the boardrooms too if the gaffers start worrying about relegation even at this early stage.
So...
Which manager is going to rise to the challenge, and which one will fail?
A turgid draw won't really help either manager; both of them need a win.
For Jaissle a defeat away to a poor Palace side after the collapse at relegation favourites Coventry would be devastating for him and Toon fans - whatever the score.
For me, we'll know within five minutes of KO which team is up for this 'must win' match the most. And it needs to be Newcastle United.
Whatever the formation. Whatever the starting eleven.
We have to win.
Lose, and we'll be in a crisis situation and confidence in Jaissle being the right man to steer NUFC out of it will be in danger of collapsing.
Am I exaggerating? I don't think I am.
What do you think?
There's talk of Elanga and Dedic both in training and being considered for the squad on Sunday. I doubt they will make the team sheet but could make the reserves. Still risky if they're still not 100% having had hamstring related injuries. Last thing we need is them chasing a game.
Jaissle has decisions to make.
Or is it the case that the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the Palace has the brew that is true."
Via The Mag.
The event is only for 2 days and while free you need to book if you're going there
The club announced on Thursday morning: ‘Newcastle United will place supporter tributes to Kevin Keegan on public display at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art later this month, giving fans and the wider community an opportunity to reflect on the life of a North East icon.
Thousands of supporters paid tribute to the Magpies legend following his passing, leaving heartfelt messages, shirts, scarves and mementos outside St. James’ Park. The club’s opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool, another of Keegan’s former clubs, also provided an emotional opportunity for supporters to come together in remembrance.’
The window of opportunity to visit…
Palace away , everton away in the cup , everton at st james park to follow , then fulham away .
Would you take 5 points in the league games and getting through at everton in the cup if you were offered it now ?
Just a hypothetical question
Hardly a lot of game time but daresay keeps him fit and active
Newcastle United goalkeeper Aidan Harris has joined Hebburn Town on an initial one-month loan deal.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper has spent this season in and around Matthias Jaissle's first team squad and training exclusively with the first team goalkeeper group, making one solitary appearance for the under-21s side this term as a result.