Newcastle United £17m pair 'well off it' vs Crystal Palace - and the player to feel sorry for

It wasn’t pretty, they rarely are when Newcastle United are in town at Selhurst Park.

Two goals from Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta in the second half put the sorry Magpies to the sword.

What were the main talking points in South London? Here’s the NewcastleWorld take...

System flaws - diluting the praise

The manager was rightfully praised for his formation tweaks that bamboozled Spurs 10 days ago, but with a week and a half to work out how to stop Crystal Palace, with different threats across the park, Howe fell well short by simply sticking with what had served him well.

What ever happened to horses for courses? This was anything but.

Reinventing the wheel so soon after being so unwilling to break from his 4-3-3 norm is quite baffling. He needs to go back to that on Saturday.

The system doesn't suit. It worked v Tottenham, but that doesn't mean it'll work every week. Change it.

Right-hand side quality - or lack of

The only thing I can think of, when trying to work out why Tino Livramento didn't get any minutes on the right-hand side is that he must not be properly fit. It has to be, because it made zero sense, playing with wing-backs, not to use the most wing-backy of wing-backs he has in his squad.

The right had huge flaws, that's even without the system. Emil Krafth and Jacob Murphy were well off it.

No shots - don't believe all you read

I don't care what the stats say - and how they come up with their utter madness - but Newcastle didn't have a shot until the 87th minute. For the record, online reports suggest they had four. I'm sorry, but anyone who watched it, or was there, will know that's rubbish. A looped header from Elliot Anderson was all the Magpies had to show for 90 minutes in South London. Not good enough.

What does Howe think Anderson is?

He had arguably his worst game in black and white on Wednesday night, but it might well be the first time he's ever been used as a left wing-back and right wing-back in the same game. This is the same Anderson who seems to have been primed to be a No.8 by Howe and grew up as a forward or No.10.

I felt sorry for him out there.

Howe said in a press conference recently that he didn't think Anderson was a Joelinton substitute. After his use at Palace, I'd be interested to know what he really thinks the player actually is.

Five games - still in their hands

If Newcastle win their five games they'll finish in Europe, it's near certain.

So for all the negativity from the game - it really was one to forget - they have to brush it off and start again on Saturday.

Fifteen points to play for. The season is still all to be won and lost.