Full transcript of our Newcastle United Q&A as Lee Ryder answered your questions

Sunday's game at Crystal Palace could be a pivotal one for Matthias Jaissle and Newcastle United. After three defeats in their last four games, they need a firm response at Selhurst Park to ease those growing concerns.

After a good start to the season, doubts have started to creep in, and that was reflected when we opened our NUFC mailbag this week for our latest Q&A.

Lee Ryder was on hand to answer your questions on all things Newcastle United, from Jaissle's tactics and future, to the summer transfer window and the latest on St James' Park . . . or a potential new stadium.

Here's the full transcript of your questions and Lee's answers.

Do you think Newcastle made a huge transfer mistake by not signing a real No 9? - Jennifer J

LR: Assessing what was around in the summer, I think they were right to keep their powder dry but I would not have loaned out Nick Woltemade. It was clear Newcastle needed somebody to hit in the closing stages against Villa and the 6ft 6in Germany international has shown he is capable with a decent tally for Newcastle so far. Woltemade needs a coach who believes in him and unfortunately, he got a vote of no confidence when loaned out to Juventus. I'm not sure the player's trust can be won back under the current management. But Newcastle ARE looking for strikers ahead of the next couple of windows with scouting missions already under way.

The team started the season well with zest and enthusiasm. It fizzled out in the last four games. What happened? It is surprising given we have no European commitment - Zac

LR: I think anybody who knows something about football can factor in the injuries at Newcastle but for my money the three-week international break was a momentum sapper. Newcastle could have done with another game on the back of Hull but had to wait. Yes the injuries cleared it but Newcastle looked cold and out of practice for that clash against Coventry. Three weeks is almost a pre-season and it seemed to reset them in a negative way. Just my humble opinion.

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Is Matthias Jaissle in danger of the sack? Boldonboy

LR: The head coach is not in any danger of the sack. If the 2025/26 season taught us anything it was that Ross Wilson and David Hopkinson don't respond to noise, let alone what is written on social media. The defeats at Leeds and Coventry were poor, but there were some brief signs, structually, that Newcastle were a little better against Villa. In any case, with Newcastle sitting in 11th and still in both cups, Jaissle's position is not even up for debate at the KNOX. He will get more than his fair share of time to turn things around at Newcastle and another crack at transfers in January if needed. Then the club will look to support in the summer with his own picks. That's the plan and only a situation where Newcastle are marooned in the bottom three would result in a recation from those at the top.

Do you think it was a risk worth taking appointing a 'rookie' head coach with no substantive experience in a top European league? This doesn't always end well! Geoff

LR: I'd counter that sometimes you need to find a coach who has potential to learn the league but also bring in fresh ideas. Don't forget Eddie Howe went because it had turned stale at Newcastle United, the message was no longer landing and the team were not playing with any confidence. Jaissle has come in with a fresh approach and deserves time to work through those problems. Given Newcastle are limited with spending power and are bringing in young stars now, do you think an experienced campaigner would have taken on the challenge?

What do you think has gone wrong with Newcastle so far this season after a good spell and were do you expect Newcastle to finish? Tom Dixon

LR: Thanks for the question Tom. I think that Newcastle's season is suffering a blip at the moment and it has not all gone wrong. I said at the start of the season Newcastle could challenge for a Europa Conference League place and I still believe they can. So anything in and around 10th to 8th still is my prediction. I certainly don't think they will be anywhere near the relegation battle.

Why are Newcastle United struggling to score? Michael Southwick

LR: I think there is a confidence issue involved in this, and it's a strange one because had Wissa slotted that penalty in against Hull it would have been 3-0 and the floodgates could have opened for Newcastle. Instead they held on to that slender lead and then went into the international break with a few uncertainities in their minds. I think the goals will come eventually but they need a couple of scrappy ones. Hopefully that starts against Crystal Palace.

What is happening to the stadium? When can we know the decision if it is expansion or build a new? - Zac

LR: That's something they are working on every day believe it or not. The last big hint I got was they are seriously looking at moving stadium and the revamp of SJP is a fall back. Again that all takes time, but the public pressure is growing for an answer. They have ticked a lot of boxes with the training ground, sponsors and the head coach, now it's time for the big one.

In your opinion, does Jaissle need to adjust his tactical setup in upcoming matches to better suit the players' capabilities? Alan.

LR: I just wonder how anybody expects anything to work at the touch of a button, a new system will always take time. Look at Como in the Champions League last night against Man United, that system has been three years in the making. I'm not saying it will take three years but I think players know the score and don't need to be told. It's up to them to make the system work or Jaissle will change personnel not the sytem.

How long do you think the manager will have with him been under pressure and do you think we will get a striker in January? Tom Dixon

LR: I think the manager is already under a certain pressure and he has certainly adjusted his stance in the Press conferences with a bit more insight to questions. I certainly remember a few people getting excited about Jaissle giving some clipped answers om his first Pressers but that never really does a manager long-term favours. I think he was just being guarded then. I think they will give William Osula the chance to shine when fully fit before making big calls on signing a centre-forward.