Bizarre 3-1-6 system & £20m snub - 3 issues Matthias Jaissle must fix to silence Newcastle United critics
Matthias Jaissle’s methods have not worked in recent weeks - this is how he can get Newcastle United back on track.
While Newcastle United always expected a season of transition, consecutive Premier League defeats have cranked up the pressure levels on Tyneside. Boos echoed around St James’ Park after Aston Villa edged out a 1-0 win last weekend.
A minority of fans on social media jumped the gun and called for Matthias Jaissle’s head at the full-time whistle. He deserves time. The German arrived just three weeks before the top-flight opener and is leading a below-par squad that was decimated in the summer.
A tricky test awaits on Sunday. Crystal Palace have conceded the most Premier League goals but Selhurst Park is not a happy hunting ground for the Magpies.
Newcastle last won at Palace in November 2020 during the behind-closed-doors campaign when goals from Callum Wilson and Joelinton secured a 2-0 triumph. Regardless, Toon fans deserve a reaction - and here are three solutions for Jaissle to reignite the stuttering season.
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Sean Steur
This is an easy win. Sean Steur is the man every Newcastle fan wants to see in the team right now.
That is not to suggest Jaissle should play to the gallery and pick his team based on supporter sentiment. But after starring against Hull City, Steur playing zero minutes in the defeats to Coventry City and Aston Villa felt puzzling.
Alongside Lewis Hall and Nico Gonzalez, the Dutchman is one of the few Newcastle stars who offers technical ability on the ball. Jaissle frequently notes his age but as the old adage goes, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Tactical compromise
Jaissle made clear his “vertical football” style on day one. Intense, high-energy and direct. However, Newcastle have looked anything but in recent Premier League defeats.
The Magpies mustered just one shot on target at home to Villa. That is not good enough. At times, the long punts from defence make Jaissle’s buzzword look like aimless, 1980s, English-style hoofball.
A good worker is only as good as his tools. This squad is distinctly average. But an efficient worker will make the most out of the ones at his disposal.
Newcastle need pragmatism. Only once future transfer windows arrive will Jaissle be able to fully mould the Magpies in his image.
Bizarre 3-1-6 formation
Perhaps the most jarring tactical instruction in recent weeks was not Dan Burn coming on as a rescue-job striker. One of Newcastle’s key patterns of play results in Gonzalez dropping deep to collect the ball as a de facto centre-back.
One midfielder - last weekend it was Joelinton - remains central while the other six players stay on the opposition defence. When Gonzalez punts the ball long, it leaves the team exposed.
To the layman, Newcastle’s midfield has been left exposed for the counter-attack. This is one of the main reasons why.
But there are other examples. On Saturday, Gonzalez was the last man back from a Newcastle corner despite standing midway into the Villa half. Nicolas Jackson should have scored on the break.
Newcastle are conceding far too many chances from these positions. Jaissle, as a Premier League manager, must recognise the need to tighten up.
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