Coventry City humbled Newcastle United in humiliating fashion to end the nonsense about sitting in the Champions League spots.
It was another away day, another 4-1 hiding for Newcastle United as Coventry City taught Matthias Jaissle and Co a lesson. Here are five key takeaways from a dismal evening at the CBS Arena.
Sloppy, wasteful, weak…
If the Leeds United loss was a reality check a month ago, this proved to be a full-scale embarrassment. A three-week international break had everyone yearning for their Newcastle fix.
On tonight’s showing, few will be relishing the next time we see the Magpies in action. Aston Villa on Saturday is now daunting.
From the first whistle, the Magpies looked like a side that had never played on a wet surface. Yes, this was always going to be a season of transition. But supporters can still expect Newcastle to fulfil the basics.
Sloppy at the back and wasteful up front is a recipe for disaster in the Premier League. Nobody comes out of this with any credit. A truly disastrous afternoon.
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Champions League misnomer
Pre-match talk centred around whether Newcastle would rise to fourth or stay slumped in 11th. Given the backdrop of mixed performances and a Premier League season still in its infancy, this always felt like a misnomer.
In truth, Newcastle made Coventry look Champions League rather than a recent Championship outfit. The worrying sign for the Magpies is that the hosts did not have to play well for the bulk of the game.
Both sides were 19th and 20th in the xG table ahead of kick-off - and it showed. Rooted to 11th spot it is - with cement in their boots.
Is MFP a striker?
Newcastle stumped up £51million for Fernandez-Pardo but a debate has formed over his best position. Is he a striker, or would a spell out wide be best for all parties?
Jaissle backed up his pre-match presser words with actions by keeping him in the No.9 spot. However, the Belgian fluffed two big first-half moments to further fuel the debate.
He failed to slot in Harvey Barnes for a clear-cut opportunity. Fair enough. But on the stroke of half-time, if you are to lead the line for Newcastle, those chances must be buried.
Fernandez-Pardo rounded the goalkeeper before placing a tame shot towards goal. A natural goalscorer would have fired the Magpies level goalscorer. The 21-year-old improved once shifted to the left but lacks end product.
Matthias Jaissle irate
It is no secret to anyone that Jaissle can be a firecracker on the touchline. And at the CBS Arena tonight, the German was the most animated he has been all season.
Jaissle kicked, punched and headed every ball with his team - almost as if he were directly controlling them on a PlayStation game. It took until 66 minutes for referee John Brooks to put him in the book.
Once Coventry sealed the game in the final embers, the jacket was off. Jaissle knows he has a job on his hands to squeeze a competitive season out of this Newcastle team.
The aimless long ball
Jaissle promised intense, heavy-metal football on arrival. But “vertical football” - when it does not pay off - can look like a fancy buzzword for 1980s English-style kick and rush.
For the second consecutive away game, Newcastle spammed the direct pass over the top to little avail. Malick Thiaw - clearly under direction - was the main culprit.
This is either a personnel or tactical problem. Fabian Schar, the club’s best ball-playing centre-back, sat on the bench. The jury remains out on how much Jaissle will need to adapt his philosophy to English football.
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