The next month - and one game in particular - could potentially be season-defining for Newcastle United 2.0. Steve McClaren infamously told the press pack to judge him after 10 games. We all know what happened next.

Matthias Jaissle has reached the same milestone but the jury remains out on United’s trajectory. Two limp home defeats and four points on the road followed the previous international break.

With the season paused again, some Newcastle fans are already fearing the fixture list that lies ahead. Arsenal (H), Brighton (A), Manchester United (H) and Sunderland (A) await.

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And as witnessed last season, the Tyne-Wear derby on December 6 carries the most weight. Fan sentiment towards Eddie Howe shifted after Sunderland came from behind to beat the Magpies at St James’ Park in March.

The setback capped off a disastrous week where Barcelona also spanked Newcastle 7-2 - but the derby defeat proved more damaging. Losing not once - but twice - to the Black Cats turned many fans against Howe.

He ultimately walked away in the summer, relinquishing the chance to avenge those Premier League losses. As shown by The Gazette’s poll last week - where only a slender majority of fans backed Jaissle - he is already under the pump.

Newcastle cannot hinge their ambitions on one fixture but anyone talking down the importance of the Tyne-Wear derby is being disingenuous. Three testing fixtures precede Sunderland but there will be United fans who would happily lose the lot if it meant getting one over their bitter rivals.

The Magpies sit 12th - and four points above the drop zone. Fulham was an improvement but clashes against the Premier League's top two could leave Newcastle in a precarious position.

Likewise, Regis Le Bris has faced calls for his dismissal as Sunderland sat rock bottom of the table before edging out Chelsea on Sunday. He became the most popular man on Wearside by beating Newcastle twice and would do so again if he achieves the three-peat next month.

It promises to be a high-stakes Tyne-Wear derby next month. Excitement and apprehension will collide as soon as the season resumes, with fans undoubtedly having one eye on the contest.

Newcastle cannot afford to underestimate what is at stake. One defeat would be painful enough. A third consecutive derby loss could have consequences far beyond local bragging rights.

For Jaissle, victory could provide the catalyst his reign desperately needs. The next month matters, but December 6 may matter more than anything else.