10 Problems Newcastle Need To Fix To Avoid Relegation

6. Populate Midfield

The 4,2,3,1 formation might appear to be a progressive one, but the issue of playing both Cheick Tiote and Jack Colback in deep holding roles and then an attacking midfielder high up the pitch is that nobody plays in the centre-circle. Against Southampton and Stoke this proved a problem as the space gave counter-attacking teams too much time on the ball to encourage their wide men forward, and worse, opens the defence up to long shots that make Tim Krul look like an idiot in goal. Under Pardew, the formation isn't used as four banks of players with Riviere at the front, instead it's two banks - attack and defence - with a no man's land that encourages the opposition to play between them. If there was someone playing in front of the deepest defender, the ball could be broken down earlier, and attacks could be stifled before they became harder to defend.