Premier League pragmatism is required at Newcastle United – NOT Graeme Jones' immediate idealism

No tactics nor system has stuck, no style has brought substance. Results, as we all know, have proven equally hard to come by.

This changed, a little, when Graeme Jones was appointed to the football club – the act of an owner so desperate not to sack his manager that he chose to ultimately undermine rather than compensate for his failures.

A collective front-foot press and split strikers 4-3-3 was born – and with Callum Wilson as a wide focal point, it worked.

There was no massive upturn in results, but United looked a lot more like getting one, something were a million miles away from with Bruce in sole charge of affairs.

The main system switch/approach rebirth beneficiary was Miguel Almiron. The Paraguayan deployed in a totally new role, the false nine.

With Almiron and Wilson out, Allan Saint-Maximin is also absent medium-term, United just don’t have like-for-like replacements in their squad.

They have players who can play No10 in Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson – they do not however have another player capable of the false nine. Ryan Fraser may buck that trend, if trusted. While some are unable to differentiate – these roles, No10 and false nine, are very, very different.

Bruce also does not have a Wilson-like wide forward with the same instinct, physicality and frontline leadership.

This is where pragmatism needs to triumph over idealism.

Jones’ new strategy worked with the personnel to play it – and I get the reluctance to bin the philosophy, which is something the club has been crying out for nearly two years.

But Sunday proved that in this system United are toothless without their three main weapons. A rethink is needed.

If Jones could turn around United performances as swiftly after arriving as it appears, he can do so again.

Split strikers need shelved and saved for future reference. Joelinton, however, is a different story.

After two seasons, playing the same player and expecting a different result is insanity.

Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle need brought back into the fold, somehow. United need goals, a possible threat, and a lowering of the white flag. Trying something, anything, might just aid their cause.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor