Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle must learn from Ruben Amorim's failure at Manchester United and reconsider his preferred formation after two successive four-goal away defeats. The team needs an upgrade in every department to prevent this from becoming an overall trait, and the midfield is being overrun.
Football is a team game, so everything must be assessed honestly on and off the pitch. The new signings must step up and prove their promise, while experienced players must lend a considerable hand. United must tighten up at the back and get ruthless up top, with too many goals flying in and not enough converted at the other end. Midfielders must provide a shield for a back four described as flimsy as a kite in a high wind.
Formation concerns and midfield issues
Jaissle must seriously examine his tactics and decide if his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with a No 10 behind a centre-forward is the right setup. The opinion expressed is that it is not, as the midfield is getting overrun and United lack legs in the middle third. While there are plenty of options when all fit, none can cover the miles at the rate Sandro Tonali did in his prime, making a two-man midfield suicidal against powerful opponents.
Amorim famously tried to force square pegs into round holes at Manchester United, refusing to budge from his preferred tactical setup and becoming fatally exposed. That lesson must be learned at St James' Park before it is too late.
Player assessments ahead of Aston Villa
Big decisions loom as Aston Villa visit, including whether captain Dan Burn is match ready enough to start. The defence is crying out for leadership and muscle, with Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw standing on a burning bridge, while Amar Dedic's form has dipped alarmingly. Matias Fernandez-Pardo insists he is a centre-forward but lacks a cutting edge and confidence, with damning stats at Coventry: he lost possession 13 times, missed two big chances with an xG of 0.49, was dispossessed three times, and lost 66 per cent of his ground duels. It may be kindest to put him back on the wing.
Will Osula could take the central striker role if match fit, though he is described as red raw and a massive step down from the club's No 9 legends. Jacob Murphy is living beyond his sell-by date, making Anthony Elanga's absence felt even more. Joelinton brings needed physicality but is a walking yellow card and may be past his pomp alongside Bruno and Tonali at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final victory.
What United require and Villa's form
Against Villa, United require leadership, togetherness, and collective passion, plus a tactical formation that brings solidness rather than a gung-ho gamble on a big scoreline. All is in the hands of Jaissle, who may wish to be unmoveable but needs to get it right.
Newcastle and Villa are old foes with history. Villa have reinvented themselves under Unai Emery, but this latest version is taking time, with only one victory in six league games leaving them fifth bottom. A six-goal romp against Fenerbahce in midweek will have installed enormous confidence. The clash is now between two fallen giants searching for redemption.
