Okay, so back from the game, thoughts are:
The team started well, but we didn't carve out any clear chances. There were a couple of times the ball pinged round the Newcastle box. Then our levels dropped a bit and the first half was drab. The wind didn't help and Newcastle handled the conditions better.
The start if the second half was a bit weird. All the half time people, kids entertainment, Pete and Alice, groundstaff were still on the pitch when the teams came out and the Palace players didn't seem switched on. Unfortunately Newcastle were right on it, had 3 chances and scored 3 times. Even the offside decision failed to rouse Palace from their slumber.
And that was the game. Much of the rest of the second half followed the pattern of the first.
Two main points of concern (minor concerns too numerous to mention here)
1. Wing backs way too high up the pitch. Mitchell frequently our most forward player on goal kicks and ended up just having to sprint back into position more often than not.
2. Leadership an issue. No single point of focus. Wharton, Mateta and Kamada arm flailing after the goals, Yeremy got booked because the ref got tired of him yapping in his ear. Defence lacked direction. We miss Henderson badly.
I would like Sage to have longer in post, but if he won't tell the wing backs they are defenders first, then we need to change to someone who will. Teams with the worst goal difference in the Division usually go down.
Wanting to finish on a positive note. Thought Osorio had a good impact when he came on.