Matthias Jaissle walked through the doors at St James’ Park in August to much fanfare from Chief Executive David Hopkinson. It was the start of Newcastle 2.0. A reset following the departure of Eddie Howe and an end to the big spending that threatened a breach of financial rules.
Jaissle started heroically. An encouraging draw against Liverpool on the opening day was followed by wins at West Brom in the League Cup and away at Spurs in the Premier League. The Geordies, mourning Kevin Keegan on that opening hot summer’s afternoon, love a Messiah. Had they found a new one?
Fast forward three months on and the difference is stark. Jaissle and his team were booed off on Monday night for the second time in two home games, both of which they lost 1-0. Four defeats in five, slipping down the league and the same supporters who promised patience and understanding are now growing increasingly restless.
The game against an improving Fulham has the feel of something much more than a routine mid table fixture. Jaissle, it seems, is suddenly fighting for his future.
So what’s going wrong?
A change in strategy
Newcastle’s challenges are myriad. For a start, Eddie Howe, a popular manager who delivered Newcastle’s first trophy in 70 years when they lifted the League Cup in 2025, left Newcastle in the lurch. He walked out just before the start of the season. The timing left senior executives scrambling for a manager and transfer activity was naturally affected.
Then there was the turnover in players to contend with. Jaissle walked into a dressing room that was losing senior players and its top talent. Sandro Tonali left for Spurs, Anthony Gordon for Barcelona and Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal. Kieran Trippier, the captain and a player stacked with experience, went to Championship side Wolves.
Lastly, Newcastle’s transfer strategy changed. They are no longer replacing like for like with big money and big wages, but buying young, inexperienced players (at this level) with the aim of improving them and selling on for profit.
That’s left them between a rock and a hard place, where so much talent has gone and the younger players are nowhere near the same level yet.
None of this this should come as a surprise. These sorts of transitions take time and the season was always about rebuilding. The risk is, in a strong Premier League this season, that it becomes a relegation fight and panic sets in.
Lacking balance
Recent performances have highlighted the team are struggling to create and score, while being vulnerable at the back. On Monday night against Everton, in a game the Magpies lost 1-0, they didn’t have a shot on target until the 85th minute. Only three shots in targets across the last two home matches explains why the Geordie faithful are getting restless.
Their lead striker, Will Osula, is willing and capable but only two years ago was playing Championship and League 1 football. The only other recognised striker on the books, Yoane Wissa, spent most of last season injured and has yet to recover the form that saw Newcastle pay $67 million to Brentford for his services. Attacking midfielder Matias Fernandez-Pardo, a new recruit, doesn’t yet look anywhere ready physically and has been out with a virus for two weeks.
At the back defensive lapses have cost them. Sven Botman has had a poor start to the season. Symptomatic of their ills at the moment, the usually reliable goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek let Everton’s winning goal on Monday slip right through him.
Over nine league games, Newcastle’s Opta-based xG is 10.07 for and 15.32 against, an xG difference of -5.25 that ranks 18th in the league. They sit joint-bottom of the shots on target table, averaging 3.2 across the league games so far. Conversely, they allow opponents an average 5.1 shots on target. They have gone 17 games at home without keeping a clean sheet. It’s disheartening.
Where’s the blueprint gone?
When Jaissle came in he talked about direct football, a blueprint that allows two defensive midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 to operate by receiving the ball from the back and breaking the lines to feed the attacking four. Vertical football it’s called; winning the ball back quickly and getting it forward even quicker through the opposition’s defensive lines.
Yet what Newcastle have become in recent weeks is long ball merchants, bypassing the midfield by going high and aiming to pick up the second ball. It’s ugly and ineffective. And it doesn’t suit the players they have. Against Everton 54 long balls found a teammate just 12 times. The two in midfield have become isolated and easily to overwhelm, exposing a shaky back line. Prior to Monday’s game they had had faced a league-high 138 shots this season.
Fulham on the rise
After a sticky start, Fulham have picked up and are showing some good form that their early season form – even when losing – warrants. Having taken four games to get their first point of the season, they have won two and drawn one of their last three, which included two shutouts. Admittedly the wins were against two promoted sides, Hull and Coventry, but they are out of the relegation zone and a win on Saturday will see them leapfrog their opponents into a solid mid table place.
After coming under early pressure, Alvaro Arbeloa has turned it around. He has found a way to tighten the defence, as was shown in the recent 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa.
The attack remains a concern and they are missing an out and out goalscorer and the guile of creator in chief Harry Wilson, who departed for Leeds in the summer. Josh King is picking up the slack with a couple of goals but they are averaging just a goal a game.
Team news
Jaissle is expected to make some changes to stop the rot. Central is finding a way to give 18-year-old Sean Steur more game time and responsibility. The $28 million Ajax recruit is seen as the long term replacement for Bruno Guimarães. So far he has looked calm, composed and capable of retaining possession (something Newcastle crave) more than his colleagues.
It might also be time to let Bazoumnana Touré loose. The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international offers pace, unpredictability and directness to his play. He cost $57 million but has been benched in recent games while Harvey Barnes toils.
Jaissle will be without Jacob Ramsey after his late red card against Everton while Joelinton will miss the game with a groin injury.
Fulham have no fresh injury worries and have a nearly fully fit squad to select from. Ryan Sessegnon returns after a three match ban.
Prediction
Jaissle needs a result or the international break will make for an uncomfortable time. Newcastle need time to rebuild but the Premier League is unforgiving. While it would seem far too early to even consider disposing with his services by employers who said they were in it for the long haul, owners are easily spooked if the threat of relegation looms. Three points at Craven Cottage would go a long way to easing some nerves in the fan base.
Fulham’s recent wins have been by a single goal, which suggests games are very tight. A win would lift them above Newcastle in the table heading into the international break.
Fulham are favorites, having home advantage, but we’re going for a point apiece here.
Nick has enjoyed a highly successful career in journalism and the media. He spent 23 years in the UK national print media, including 15 years on the Daily Telegraph as a senior reporter. He is also an experienced commentator and communications expert. His broadcast appearances include Newsnight, Sky News, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Television, BBC Radio Scotland and local television in Scotland and England. He currently hosts The Road to World Cup 26 podcast.
