Four games from hell: Why a win against Fulham is imperative for Newcastle United as horror run approaches
Although Newcastle United appear committed to Matthias Jaissle as he tries to navigate this tough period, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to shake the feeling that things may get worse before they get better.
The Magpies have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions and performances have been nothing short of unacceptable almost all season.
With that being said, this weekend's meeting with 15th-placed Fulham is an absolute must-win. Not only would another defeat deepen the growing concerns around Jaissle, but the fixtures that follow leave little room for Newcastle to recover.
A second Halloween period on Tyneside
Halloween may have already been and gone, but there is a feeling that Newcastle’s horror movie of late may just be getting started.
That is because, whilst this weekend’s away trip to Fulham marks an opportunity to start steadying the ship, what follows is possibly the worst schedule Jaissle’s side could face.
After the international break Newcastle’s run of games is as follows:
The Magpies face Arsenal at St James’ Park, who are currently top of the Premier League. They then travel to the South Coast to take on Brighton, who are currently flying high in 3rd place.
Manchester United follow, an awfully timed fixture given the Red Devils could either have sacked Carrick and be enjoying a new-manager bounce, be finding their feet after a poor start to the season, or still be in an awful vein of form and we all know as Newcastle fans how that poem ends.
Then, finally, a Tyne-Wear derby which, again, will pit either a struggling Sunderland side (prime territory for a defeat), a side with a new manager or an interim if they choose to sack Le Bris (a recipe that has defeated us in in derbies on multiple occasions throughout history), or a side picking up form against Jaissle’s Newcastle.
Now, I don’t know about you, but not a single of those fixtures fills me with confidence, no matter what happens this weekend.
The international break might provide an opportunity for Jaissle to get things right on the training ground, but it almost comes at the worst possible time. Newcastle could beat Fulham, only to lose the opportunity to build momentum during the fortnight without a game. Alternatively, a defeat would leave the Magpies heading into the break with the cloud of concern currently looming over the club continuing to grow.
How much patience is there?
The mood around the club isn’t particularly cheerful as it stands and, if Jaissle fails to get a result this weekend against Fulham, that would be a big opportunity squandered to provide a little breathing room and would leave the Magpies heading into the aforementioned run of games in a precarious position.
Although the club are committed to a longer-term project and clearly believe the German is the right man to lead them forward, there’s a real chance that, no matter what happens in the Fulham game, Newcastle could go four more games without a win as they head into the busy Christmas period.
That might sound pessimistic, but none of those games are ones where three points are expected right now, and the Magpies simply can’t go into that period putting up the sort of performances that have become the norm over the last few weeks.
Even though it has been a hard slog for Jaissle to this point, it’s difficult to feel any other way than that it is only going to get harder and, if results continue to spiral in the way they have been, pertinent questions will arise about just how patient the fans, and more importantly the hierarchy, can be.
Jaissle might have the backing of the hierarchy for now, but the coming weeks will provide a real test of that commitment. The task ahead is daunting, and the Fulham fixture could prove to be far more significant than simply an opportunity to get three points on the board.
