Jamie Carragher suggests Newcastle change after 4-1 defeat at Coventry – “That’s got to stop”

Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle has been urged to make changes following another heavy away defeat, with Jamie Carragher questioning the boss’ system after Monday night’s 4-1 loss at Coventry.

The Sky Sports pundit believes Newcastle’s lack of physicality and decision to play with two strikers could be contributing to their problems, urging the new head coach to consider adding an extra body in midfield.

Carragher questions 4-2-3-1 system after another away defeat

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher pointed to Newcastle’s underlying numbers and our worrying defensive record away from home.  

He also highlighted that we’ve become too easy to play against and lost that physicality that once made us formidable under Eddie Howe.  

“We’ve consistently said this season they’ve had a good start results-wise, but the underlying numbers haven’t been great.

“How many shots they concede, their xG. You look at two away games now where they’ve lost 8-2.

“He’s going with two strikers up there; I know (Yoane) Wissa drops a little bit deeper, but when Eddie Howe was there it was more of a 4-3-3.

“Every manager has their own way, but when you think of the lack of physicality in that team, it might be a case where you leave one of the strikers out and go with an extra body in midfield.

“It’s a young team, and it isn’t as physically powerful as a lot of the teams in the Premier League.

“And in their last two away games, they’ve been beaten up twice - and that’s got to stop very quickly.”

Jaissle must find solutions 

The defeat at Coventry was our second 4-1 away loss in the space of a few weeks, following the same scoreline against Leeds in September.

Newcastle enjoyed plenty of possession and created opportunities last night, but were punished for defensive errors and wastefulness in front of goal, allowing a poor Coventry side to win far too easily in the end. Carragher’s suggestion that Jaissle could sacrifice a striker for an extra midfielder adds to the questions facing the German after a difficult night.

There’ll also be calls for Dan Burn to replace an out of sorts Sven Botman, Amar Dedic at right-back, Joelinton’s return to beef up our midfield and questions as to why Sean Steur was dropped after starring in our 2-1 win over Hull. A fit again Will Osula is another option up top following his return from injury. 

We need a response, and Saturday’s home clash against Aston Villa offers Newcastle an immediate opportunity to deliver exactly that.