The new-look Newcastle side I want Jaissle to start at Fulham - Four changes
Saturday's trip to Fulham might just be a make-or-break fixture for Matthias Jaissle.
After four defeats in our last five, a cup exit and the crowd turning in Monday night's miserable 1-0 loss to Everton, the pressure is on.
But how will the German react? Will he adapt, make changes and tweak with a failing 4-2-3-1 formation, or stand by his guns and go again?
The side we'd like to see on Saturday
We would like to see four changes and a switch in formation this weekend, as something simply must change if we're to turn things around.
Starting at the back, Malick Thiaw should come back into the side for Fabian Schar, who has been wayward on the ball since returning to the side in our last three games. Thiaw is far superior physically and has the recovery pace Schar lacks, especially at 34.
In midfield, Joelinton could stay in the side if we are to switch back to a 4-3-3 formation he's previously thrived in, but Sean Steur simply must start and I'd bring Lewis Miley back into the side if he's fit enough. Miley and Steur either side of Nico Gonzalez could bring fresh energy to a side that looked so stale and flat on Monday.
In attack, Anthony Elanga looked back to last season's version against Everton and a far cry from the player who started the season in superb form. Harvey Barnes' goal threat keeps him in the side, Will Osula remains our best option up top based on Yoane Wissa's recent form, and I'd like to see Matias Fernandez-Pardo played on the right, with us crying out for a sprinkle of magic from our £51m Belgian.
Preferred XI: Hornicek - Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall - Miley, Gonzalez, Steur - Fernandez-Pardo, Osula, Barnes.
- Schar out, Thiaw in
- Joelinton out, Miley in
- Willock out, Steur in
- Elanga out, Fernandez-Pardo in
What if Miley and MFP aren't fit?
If Miley and Fernandez-Pardo are back in the squad or not deemed ready to start, I'd still switch back to a 4-3-3.
We stand to gain more by getting rid of the 'No.10' - we don't own a player suited to that role - and instead add another body to a midfield that's looked weak and wide open so often this season.
If Miley is out, Joelinton or Willock could slot into that left-sided No.8 role, and I'd be tempted to give Bazoumana Toure his first league start should MFP miss out again.
Toure still looks raw, but his burst of pace and ability to get balls into the box were evident in his cameo on Monday, where he offered more threat than Elanga in just five minutes.
How would you like us to line up at Craven Cottage this weekend?
