Newcastle United are heading into what could be a crucial weekend for new head coach Matthias Jaissle. After some early optimism following a turbulent summer on Tyneside, the German is facing his first big test.
Back-to-back defeats to Coventry City and Aston Villa, coupled with another dismal display at Leeds United before the international break, have turned up the heat a little. It is still early days, but United need a good result and performance at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Questions over tactics and transfers
The situation has led to many questions about the current set-up, from tactics and formations to the summer transfer window and how Jaissle can get the best from this squad. Off the field, there is continued speculation over a potential new stadium.
Chief Newcastle United writer Lee Ryder answered readers' questions in a live Q&A this lunchtime.
Transfer mis-step over No 9?
Asked whether Newcastle made a huge transfer mistake by not signing a real No 9, Ryder said he thought they were right to keep their powder dry, but he would not have loaned out Nick Woltemade. He noted it was clear Newcastle needed somebody to hit in the closing stages against Villa and that the 6ft 6in Germany international has shown he is capable with a decent tally for Newcastle so far.
Woltemade needs a coach who believes in him and, in Ryder's view, he got a vote of no confidence when loaned out to Juventus. Ryder said he is not sure the player's trust can be won back under the current management. Newcastle are looking for strikers ahead of the next couple of windows, with scouting missions already under way.
