Newcastle United marked the 30th anniversary of Kevin Keegan’s 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United in 1996-97 this week, posting the memory to their 2.8 million followers on X. The reminder arrived as the current side continue to struggle under new manager Matthias Jaissle, who is still searching for consistency after an underwhelming opening to the season.
Last weekend’s home defeat to Aston Villa was met with boos at the final whistle. Newcastle now travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday looking to end a run of three losses in four matches. That sequence includes 4-1 defeats at Leeds and Coventry. “The pressure will seriously be on if they don’t get a result at Palace,” said Charlotte Robson of the True Faith podcast. Supporters have questioned the team’s identity under Jaissle, while the long-term impact of Alexander Isak’s £125 million move to Liverpool last year remains a talking point.
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson told BBC Sport that one strong result could change the mood, but noted that Jaissle currently appears fixed in his approach. Chris Sutton, who watched the Villa defeat, described the side as “chaotic,” citing a lack of creativity in the final third and defensive vulnerability. The season remains early, yet after Eddie Howe delivered the club’s first major domestic trophy since 1955, questions are being asked about how long Jaissle will be given if results do not improve.
Alan Shearer had already warned of a difficult campaign after Howe’s departure in July. Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for more than £69 million, Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100 million, and Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal for £75 million. Kieran Trippier also left. “You cannot keep on selling your best players and then hope to be in contention at the top of the table,” Shearer said. Seven games in, Newcastle have eight points from two wins. Rory Smith of the Observer observed that such a return would have been expected given the departures.
The club spent roughly £250 million in the summer, largely on players aged 21 or under. Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Touré and French midfielder Aladji Bamba have yet to start a league game despite being available, while 18-year-old Sean Steur impressed against Hull but has not featured since. Smith noted that Newcastle prioritised youth and potential over established Premier League experience.
Jaissle arrived after compensation was paid to Al-Ahli, where he had won consecutive Asian Champions League titles. Expectations were high given his success in Austria and Saudi Arabia, but the 38-year-old is unproven in the Premier League and is still attempting to impose his ideas after Howe’s long tenure. Newcastle have gone 16 games without a home clean sheet in all competitions—the club’s longest such run—and are conceding two goals per league match on average. Only Palace and Ipswich have shipped more. Against Villa they managed just one shot on target, from defender Sven Botman, and Jaissle used centre-back Dan Burn as a forward when he came on.
There is also a sense that Callum Wilson has not been adequately replaced. Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade were brought in, yet Woltemade is now on loan at Juventus and Wissa has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Sutton said fans have reason for concern, particularly after the side looked short of attacking threat against Villa.
Robson believes patience is required after a summer of significant change. CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson have projected calm inside the club, and Jaissle is expected to be given time. Performances still need to improve, starting at Selhurst Park. Newcastle then face Everton in the Carabao Cup last 16, host Everton in the league, and travel to Fulham before the next international break. Jaissle will not want to enter that sequence without a win in six matches across league and cup. Robson added that the club set out to be an aggressive, attacking side but has yet to reach that standard.
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