Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle faces a decision over how his side lines up for Saturday's game with Aston Villa after the 4-1 defeat to Coventry City, with the club's writers divided on whether the formation needs changing.
The Magpies conceded far too many chances and goals in that loss, yet the same tactics brought a win at Tottenham and nearly a 2-1 opening-day victory over Liverpool before a late penalty. Newcastle have struggled to control games this season, and outscoring opponents is hard enough without a reliable goalscorer, let alone when conceding regularly.
Strongest XI debate
Lee Ryder argues against ripping everything up, saying the head coach deserves time to drum his system into the squad after just six Premier League games. He would stick with 4-2-3-1 and pick the strongest XI available, acknowledging harsh calls given Sean Steur's form and Joelinton's power and experience. His XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Miley, Gonzalez, Barnes, Willock, Elanga, Osula.
Sean McCormick identifies midfield control as the central issue, saying the side is being overrun and conceding too many shots. He sees two options: bring Steur in alongside Nico Gonzalez in the 4-2-3-1, or revert to the 4-3-3 the inherited players know. He favours the latter, with Gonzalez or Steur in the middle and Lewis Miley and Joelinton either side, adding that Joelinton's experience is vital but there are question marks over his ability in a midfield pair.
Square pegs and protection
Stuart Jamieson says the problem is square pegs in round holes, not the formation. He argues Newcastle need a specialist No 10 and should try Jacob Ramsey or Joelinton in that role to cover a midfield pairing of Gonzalez and Steur or Miley, offering the backline more protection. The 4-2-3-1 can work, he says, but only with the right players in the right roles, and he suggests the summer transfer strategy appears to have been designed for a 4-3-3.
Andrew Musgrove says he would change the formation if he were manager, going to three in midfield to protect the defence, though he notes Jaissle lacks a true engine-room player like Sandro Tonali. He would play Joelinton, Steur and Gonzalez in the middle, Barnes on the left, Osula on the right if Elanga is unfit, and Wissa up top. However, he does not think the manager will change his set-up this early on, expecting a similar XI to the Coventry game with Burn, Osula and Dedic as likely returnees and Miley dropping into the centre.
