Newcastle United crisis: Newcastle are 11th in the table with eight points from seven games. They have been booed by fans. Pundit Chris Sutton said they were a chaotic team. The visit to Crystal Palace on Sunday looks set to be a big match for Matthias Jaissle.
Newcastle’s slump in numbers
The recent form has been disappointing for Newcastle. They have won just one of their last five league games and lost three of their last four. Losing 4-1 on the road at Leeds United and then again at Coventry City. The 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa that was followed by boos from their own fans.
In defence, they have struggled greatly, as they are without a clean sheet at home for 16 matches in a row. A club record. They have given up more goals than any of the league’s clubs this season. Only two clubs, namely Palace and Ipswich, have managed to score more than their 14 goals.
On the offensive side of things the situation is not any better. They have only one shot on target vs Villa, coming from defender Sven Botman. The winning shot was made by Johan Manzambi, a player they tried to purchase during the summer transfer window.
A summer of upheaval hits home
Many factors played a role. Eddie Howe left in July after five years at the club, Anthony Gordon went to Barcelona, Sandro Tonali moved to Tottenham, and Bruno Guimaraes transferred to Arsenal for £75 million, and there was also the departure of Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle spent around £250m in response, with many of their signings aged 21 or under, and several of them having seen little or no football.
Jaissle, 38, arrived from Al-Ahli after a glittering career in Saudi Arabia and Austria and was deemed a decent buy by Newcastle, who forked out £9.5m on compensation to bring him to St James’ Park. He remains unproven in England.
The goals issue goes back further, as Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125m more than a year ago and have been unable to find a replacement. Nick Woltemade is on loan at Juventus, and Wissa has been inconsistent. Alan Shearer warned in the summer that there would be difficult times ahead, and so far he has been right.
Can Crystal Palace offer a way back?
Their rivals at Palace are no more impressive. They have conceded 17 league goals, the most of any team in the division. The kick-off at Selhurst Park is 2pm on Sunday.
Fixtures will come thick and fast. Newcastle host Everton in the Carabao Cup next Thursday and then again in the league on 2 November, before facing Fulham five days later. A slip against Palace would see the pressure mount.
The board are remaining calm for the time being as reports suggest the club will give Jaissle time to turn things around. The fans will demand improvement; a good afternoon’s work at the Stadium of Light could do wonders for the mood. Another defeat could end it.
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