How does Matthis Jaissle fix Newcastle United's imploding form?

Matthias Jaissle will have more than a week to stew on the defeat against Aston Villa by the time the game against Crystal Palace comes around on Sunday. That's a lot of time thinking but also a lot of time to train.

The Newcastle United head coach has come under fire for his tactics, team selection and communication at various points over the last couple of weeks. Disastrous defeats against Leeds United and Coventry City have ensured the honeymoon period is over.

How does he fix the issues, however? With so many fans and pundits offering different theories, it looks difficult to know where to start. So we asked our team of journalists to cut through the noise and tell us which ONE thing they would change to bring success against Palace - and for the rest of the season.

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Lee Ryder

For me it has to be the return of Dan Burn to the back four as he will bring the leadership and organisation the team is lacking right now.

Whether that is at the expense of Sven Botman or Malick Thiaw, or even switching to five at the back, finding a way to accommodate the club skipper is crucial at Crystal Palace. Burn is very much a standard bearer and has bought into Matthias Jaissle's methods and philosophy, so it is now a case of seeing that carried on to the pitch.

Throw in his non-stop ability to head and clear dangerous balls into the box and his presence at the other end, it feels like a no-brainer to recall the big lad from Blyth.

Sean McCormick

Right now Newcastle's biggest issue is that opposition teams can play through their midfield too easily. At times, Nico Gonzalez is too exposed in the middle of the park and the Magpies are not getting the best out of their £50million signing as a result.

The system, in its current guise, is putting too much stress on a lot of players and a return to the muscle memory of 4-3-3 will help, particularly with the players who were in the squad last season.

If Gonzalez was in the middle of two willing runners - take your pick from Lewis Miley, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey - I think Newcastle would be harder to play through and would get more control in the midfield.

That would also add extra weight to the argument that it is a straight choice between Gonzalez and Sean Steur, who would also be able to play that quarterback role admirably.

Ross Gregory

The one thing that has to change for me is the coaching. Plain and simple. Whether it's 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or 3-1-6, it needs to be drilled, perfected and applied properly. We've seen all sorts of funky formations and tactics over the years from false 9s to inverted full-backs and sweeper systems, but the ones that work best are the ones which are well coached.

I don't think Jaissle's messaging is having the desired impact. The chaotic nature of the play is affecting players' minds - they look manic and unsure of their roles at times.

The team has had plenty of time on the training ground in the last couple of weeks but if anything, Newcastle seem to be getting worse. Whatever the issues are - and let's be honest, there are a few - they can be fixed through clear, constructive coaching. This group of players are better than what they are showing, individually and collectively.

Stuart Jamieson

For all the talk about formations and tactics, one thing Newcastle are lacking more than anything else is someone to stick the ball in the back of the net. For me, the big change has to come up front in the form of a proper No 9 who can lead the line, occupy defenders and get on the end of crosses.

Do they have one? That's a good question. It's not Matias Fernandez-Pardo, although they should stick with the Belgian in some form of attacking role, and Yoane Wissa doesn't seem to be a penalty box operator any more, so it's going to have to be William Osula.

A real No 9 makes the whole team play better. Remember when Chris Wood arrived? He didn't score many goals but he played the role as it should be played, helping create space for others, pulling defenders out of position and giving United a focal point. That's what's badly missing right now, and it must be addressed.