Newcastle United head to Selhurst Park this weekend still dealing with the fallout from the £124m transfer issue that ultimately cost Eddie Howe control of transfers during his final months at the club. Six months after the defeat that many saw as the beginning of the end for Howe, the Magpies will face Crystal Palace at a venue where they last won in 2020 during a lockdown game under Steve Bruce.
April Defeat That Changed Everything
Last April's 2-1 defeat, which featured two Palace goals in the last 10 minutes, saw the away fans make their feelings clear to Howe. As the team stood in front of the 3,000 travelling supporters, they were forced to absorb individual shouts of discontent, with fans unwilling to turn as a group on the man who guided them to the Carabao Cup in 2025.
That afternoon, Howe had opted to leave out the £124m pair Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. He told Chronicle Live after the game: "I don't pick the team based on transfer fees. I pick the team based on what I see."
Financial Decisions Under Scrutiny
The defeat left Howe in a difficult position after crashing out of all the cups and then out of the race for Europe. It did not cost him his job in truth, but that afternoon pretty much cost him control of transfers as expensive loanee Aaron Ramsdale at £4m was deemed a flop, and Woltemade and Wissa's fees were questioned with a lack of a sporting director present.
The £124m issue is still haunting Newcastle, with Wissa out of form and Woltemade now at Juventus on loan. Remarkably, eyebrows were raised when William Osula was named in the starting line-up that day, but six months on he is now first choice when fit.
Jaissle Faces Similar Pressures
Newcastle now head back to Croydon with Matthias Jaissle in charge, but scrutiny is still very much in the air at St James' Park. Jaissle started well and still retains healthy backing, but questions are being asked about his formation and style of play. People are struggling to understand what he really meant by "vertical football", with many now feeling his approach is the old long ball game.
However, the feeling on Tyneside is not too negative about Jaissle. A bit of social media noise and jumpy reporting this week aside, there is no doubt that Newcastle fans seem to like the German head coach.
Key Fixes Needed at Selhurst Park
A couple of results are needed though, and a win at Palace followed by progress in the Carabao Cup at Everton will hush some doubters. Newcastle need to start showing their best side on the pitch, looking uncertain at the back and toothless in attack, two major things Jaissle must fix quickly.
Ironically, half of Howe's problem at Selhurst Park is no longer available for selection in Woltemade, who is now at Juventus on loan. Wissa could be dropped, and Jaissle may end up with Osula starting in attack again.
For all that many things have changed since Howe looked haunted as he faced the away end that day, a lot of things remain the same. Jaissle spoke about choosing the right time to "smash the dressing room up" when he took over, and he will hope to do it before the teams walk out at Selhurst Park this weekend.
