Newcastle United's start to the season has been underwhelming, and the club's social media team recently looked back to Kevin Keegan's 1996-97 side that thrashed Manchester United 5-0 at St James' Park. The nostalgia contrasts sharply with the present. Under new German head coach Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle have yet to find their form, and last weekend's home defeat to Aston Villa was greeted by boos at the final whistle.
Newcastle head into Sunday's game at struggling Crystal Palace looking to end a run of three defeats in four games, including back-to-back 4-1 away losses at Leeds United and Coventry City. Supporters have questioned the team's lack of identity under Jaissle, and pundits have been blunt. Former defender John Anderson said Jaissle seems "very set in his ways," while Chris Sutton described the side as "chaotic," pointing to a lack of creativity in the final third and vulnerability at the back.
The squad has been reshaped after the departure of Eddie Howe, who stepped down at the end of July. Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for more than £69m, Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for up to £100m, and Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal for £75m. Alan Shearer warned that the club could not keep selling its best players and still expect to challenge at the top. Rory Smith of the Observer noted that losing those players would probably produce a poor start like this one.
After spending about £250m in the summer, Newcastle have relied on many young and inexperienced signings. Some, including Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba, have yet to start a Premier League match, while 18-year-old Sean Steur has not played since his impressive debut against Hull City. With Newcastle on eight points from seven games, a defeat at Palace would intensify the pressure on Jaissle and the club.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing