Let’s be brutally honest about this - things have been rough, of late, at Newcastle United.
Not for one second did we expect the Magpies in their era of transition to be challenging up the top end of the Premier League, but we also probably hoped the days of looking over shoulders were long gone, too.
But here we are, Newcastle look like a side who have enough points-per-game to look like a side not likely to be in trouble, but are playing like a side slap bang in it, particularly away from St James’ Park.
Coventry, like Leeds before it, was a low point. Have too many and things might get tasty, for the wrong reasons. The Magpies reacted against Hull and must do the same again v Aston Villa on Saturday.
And this is the XI that I think has the best chance to beat Unai Emery & Co - but it means Matthias Jaissle must make some tough decisions, particularly in midfield.
Newcastle United XI v Villa - 4-2-3-1
Lukas Hornicek - GK
Errors are creeping into his game, but when the other option is nuclear, it’s not really even an option. Needs to put that game-altering mistake out of his mind - the first that has cost NUFC badly - and ultimately, cut them out of his game.
Amar Dedic - RB
Lewis Miley has done well in a ‘holding role’ while the Bosnian fully recovered from injury and while the former is probably better defensively, the latter offers so much more going forward.
Malick Thiaw - CB
It’s hardly been a feather in his NUFC cap, this leadership era. But, he’s at least been more consistent than his partner. The lack of aggression, for a central defender, is becoming more and more of an issue, however. His team defend like he leads.
Sven Botman - CB
I asked for more grey areas, rather than the polarising black/white or abysmal/brilliant performance swings. We need consistent Botman, not the schizophrenic one, if the consistent one even exists anymore. I’m yet to be convinced it does.
Lewis Hall - LB
There isn’t an NUFC XI you can possibly pick that doesn’t have Hall’s name as the first one on the teamsheet. Enough said.
Nico Gonzalez - CM
Off the back of his best performance in black and white. Gonzalez has already shown he has the tools to make this midfield tick. Problem seems to be more, who to pair with him?
Sean Steur - CM
I get why Jaissle hasn’t jumped to play Steur with Gonzalez. They do, right now, play a very similar game. They’d be in each other’s pockets. But maybe, one needs to be coached to be a little more free. That might be the Dutchman. Because right now, they’re the best two in the group.
Baz Toure - RW
If he’s fit, and can actually stay fit in the robust Premier League, I want to see him given time on the right. By now, we know Jacob Murphy is not the answer, so let’s try, at least, to find out if the Ivorian can provide some for the team.
Joelinton - AM
I know I am guilty of banging this drum a little hard, especially after his game-costing error on Monday night. But I still believe he can add value, to a limit, to this team. It will not, however, come in a midfield two. That is defensive suicide.
Harvey Barnes - LW
He’s in here for the goals - and I can’t be told otherwise. I struggle to see where the goals come from if he’s not in the team. The only natural finisher in the frontline. Is he good when not scoring? Not really. But need to carry some threat, so he stays.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo - FW
This might just be the game for him, you know. Looked improved v Coventry and has the backing of his manager. Villa’s notoriously high line might just suit him down to the ground.
Think we have to find a mid point between the pivot/10 current formation and Howe's flat 3 - make the 10 more of an advanced CM suiting Ramsay, Willock and Big Jo, flood the middle like we used to but offer more to the front three