Newcastle fans want answers. Three defeats in four games have stirred doubt. Chronicle Live’s chief Newcastle writer Lee Ryder took on the big questions in a fan Q&A this week. Here is what he said.
Is Matthias Jaissle in danger of the sack?
Ryder says no. He feels sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson are immune to the outside pressures. Newcastle, who are 11th and in both cups, will give Jaissle plenty of time and another January window if he does not start scoring. A slide into the bottom three would be the only thing that could change their minds.
Reports from TEAMtalk are in line with this thought. They claim that the board is allowing the head coach the time he needs.
Ryder added that he supports the decision to appoint a manager who does not have much experience in the Premier League. He believes that Eddie Howe’s team has become stale, so it was a good move to bring in fresh ideas.
He also believes that a change of tactics requires patience. If the system does not work, he expects Jaissle to make changes in the personnel, but not the system.
He is therefore rather sanguine about the prospects of Newcastle, which he believes will finish between eighth and tenth. He also believes that they could finish in a UEFA Conference League position. A relegation fight, he says, is not on the cards.
Why have Newcastle stopped scoring?
Ryder cites confidence. He claims that a missed penalty from Yoane Wissa against Hull cost Newcastle the chance to win comfortably. He also points to the three-week international break for sapping momentum.
The striker position is a more contentious discussion, with Ryder believing the club were correct to hold onto their money during the summer. However, he would not have loaned Nick Woltemade to Juventus. The influential central forward could have provided the impetus needed when Newcastle chased a late goal against Villa.
Scouting is underway for potential strikers ahead of the next windows. Despite that, Ryder expects William Osula to get his fair crack of the whip when fully fit. That should precede any major swoop.
What is happening with the stadium?
Ryder’s latest hint is that Newcastle are considering a move.
He claims a revamp of St James’ Park is the fall-back option. The club have ticked off the training ground, sponsors and head coach, and the stadium is the next major project, with public pressure mounting.
Earlier stories indicated a potential new 65,000-seat ground on Leazes Park, which would cost around £1.5bn, compared to £800m-£1bn to redevelop the current stadium.
No details are confirmed, but St James’ Park holds 52,719 after a safe-standing expansion and will host games at Euro 2028.
The immediate focus is on Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace at 2pm, where a win would calm nerves, while defeat would turn up the volume once again.
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