Amar Dedic's performances for Newcastle United suggest future transfer windows under Matthias Jaissle will look bright at St James' Park. The £29.5million signing was immaculate at Crystal Palace after shaking off a hamstring issue suffered earlier in the season. The right-back was neat and tidy and did not make a single tackle at Selhurst Park, not because he was not committed, simply because he did not need to.
Dedic's dominant display at Selhurst Park
Dedic, whose heat map showed him stationed high on the wing, was already one or two steps ahead of Palace wing-back Tyrone Mitchell and marshalled the England international by squeezing the space on the right-hand side. Unsurprisingly, he was involved in both goals as he took his tally of assists to four in 11 matches so far for the Magpies.
Dedic was with Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg and is clearly one of his go-to men in the dressing room. His calming presence and 54 touches helped Newcastle win the game and earn him man of the match on Chronicle Live.
Livramento faces fight for place
As Jaissle came in late in the window, he did not get too many of his own picks in the transfer market, but Dedic is definitely one of his main men. As Tino Livramento battles back from injury, he suddenly has a big obstacle in his way as far as the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is concerned.
Livramento is battling to be back from a knee injury and is facing a serious battle for his place once he is declared fit. It is a great problem to have for Newcastle but leaving out Dedic, the man who has wingers in his pocket, is unthinkable right now.
On arrival, Dedic had said: "Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well, he knows what I can bring on the pitch and I'm really happy to be playing for him again."
The right-back slot is clearly Dedic's to lose now, and the ex-Benfica star is an early candidate for signing of the season. Pound for pound, he has so far looked like an absolute snip for the Toon.
Jaissle's methods winning trust
The narrative in the build-up to Palace had been sceptical with talk of crisis meetings and comparisons with former boss Eddie Howe and the German head coach. One player said that it was simply a period of "adapting" to Jaissle's methods but through it all, the Toon boss stayed cool. Toon insiders insist he is usually the first one through the doors at the KNOX and he can't wait to get started with work on the grass.
Given he made some tough calls with his selection, arguably where managers earn their money, there was an element of risk to his team sheet. But after the game he said in his press conference: "They're believing, they trust me, they're definitely a unit, but wins and victories are helping, so we're happy that we got the three points.
"We need to identify ourselves as a unit, as a team who also overcome setbacks, and that's what we did today. You need the team-mates, you need the staff, you need the coaches, the fans, and if we have that mindset, that we are a unit all together, then we will be successful."
Perfect record in London continues
There was once a time when Newcastle United used to fear trips to the capital, but under Matthias Jaissle, the Magpies have a 100% winning record in the Smoke! Jaissle's win at Crystal Palace went on the list with the creditable 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in August, along with the 1-0 win over Millwall in the Carabao Cup.
Jaissle had been asked if he preferred playing away from home last week to step away from the expectations of St James' Park. He correctly answered that he prefers SJP, but he is clearly getting a taste of celebrating with the hardcore fans who go on the road with Newcastle every single week. It's Everton away next, and there will be over 7,000 fans in attendance on Merseyside.
