Newcastle United have now lost back-to-back away matches by the same humbling 4-1 scoreline – and there is a growing sense that results are catching up with some unconvincing performances.A victory at Coventry City on Monday night would have taken Matthias Jaissle’s side to fourth in the Premier League.However, there has been a lingering suspicion that the early-season points tally was at odds with the cohesion and conviction Newcastle showed in their first cluster of matches.That is fair and to be expected given Jaissle was parachuted in as a replacement for Eddie Howe in August on the back of a summer of upheaval. This was always likely to be a testing season of transition, and patience is required.But that does not stop scrutiny at a club like Newcastle, and here are five key questions facing Jaissle, his players and the club… Matthias Jaissle is facing his first real test as Newcastle boss, with the number of problems he has to solve growing by the week His side have lost back-to-back away matches by the same humbling 4-1 scoreline – and there is a growing sense that results are catching up with some unconvincing performancesWhat is Newcastle’s identity?Jaissle says it is ‘vertical football’, which he explains as getting the ball forward to attacking players as quickly as possible. That, however, has too often looked like long balls to small forwards, with possession invariably surrendered. At Coventry, just 21 of 40 long passes were completed.Then, with a two-man midfield not particularly blessed with physicality, the opposition are winning second balls and Newcastle are being left suddenly exposed and out-numbered. So Plan A has, given the personnel asked to execute it, got some obvious flaws.But identity is about more than a broad philosophy. It is about shared traits and characteristics as well as recognisable patterns of play. This team, at present, is drifting through games. There is some good, some bad, some indifferent – but little consistency. Because of that, it is difficult to determine exactly what they are trying to achieve when it comes to a collective identity.Does Jaissle actually have the players to deliver his plan?This could be the biggest problem of all for the head coach – a disparity of profile within his team. He has midfielders in Nico Gonzalez, Sean Steur and Lewis Miley who want control and to be part of a possession-based side. Then, he has forwards in Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Murphy, Will Osula, Harvey Barnes and Matias Fernandez-Pardo who want chaos.The upshot is a midfield and forward line that seem to exist independently of one another. Gonzalez and others in midfield do not have the legs to be part of a unit that charges upfield to join a quick attack under the ‘vertical football’ doctrine. They want players in front of them who will receive a pass and tease the ball around under a slower, more considered build-up. None of Newcastle’s forwards fit that description.But equally, those attackers need midfielders who are going to support them, get in the box, disrupt and set an intensity that complements their want for pace and high energy. This is why it all looks a bit disconnected. There is a disconnect within Newcastle’s squad. The likes of midfielder Nico Gonzalez (right) want control, whereas Yoane Wissa (left) and his fellow attackers want chaos Jaissle urges his players to show more during Newcastle’s heavy defeat by Coventry on MondayThe new manager needs time, of course, and he will be given that – there is huge mitigation in him inheriting a squad only a few weeks out from the season. But the question that will only grow louder the closer we get to January is this: does he also need players to fit his philosophy? Or, does that philosophy need to change to fit the players he has?How does Jaissle use Fernandez-Pardo?At a marquee £51million from Lille, there was great excitement around what the Belgian could bring to Newcastle’s forward line.However, it would appear they have also given themselves an uncomfortable problem by agreeing to the player’s desire to be used as a central striker. Newcastle scouted him primarily as a left winger and he was identified as the replacement for Anthony Gordon – a versatile wideman who could operate through the middle when needed.Fernandez-Pardo has started the last three matches at No 9, including both 4-1 away defeats. He is yet to score and, for the large part, has looked lost and lacking the physical presence needed to lead the line. That is not to say that, with time, the 21-year-old cannot become a Premier League striker – but Newcastle have an immediate need for a functioning centre forward, not a long-term conversion project.Already, this feels like a big test of Jaissle and those who brought Fernandez-Pardo to the club – will they play him where is best for the team? Hopes were high when Newcastle signed Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille this summer, but the Belgian has yet to make an impression playing in his preferred No 9 positionWhere are Aladji Bamba and Baz Toure?In short, on the bench. The pair, both 20 years old, were signed for a combined £72.5m in the summer, yet they have not started in the Premier League so far.Investing for tomorrow is a key part of the club’s strategy, but when the figures are so high, there has to be some return today. It is clear Jaissle does not fancy either as a starter, and even their involvement from the bench has been limited.Toure, a left winger, has shown flashes of promise, but Bamba’s situation is more concerning. The midfielder arrived with fewer than 30 senior appearances to his name, and there is an argument that a loan spell would better serve his development.Jaissle has already said that these signings predated his arrival. That is true, and important for context. But he and the club have to find a way of protecting and developing two young players signed for a considerable outlay, especially in an SCR world.What is the solution?Jaissle has said his team need more hunger and desire in both boxes, and that would suggest a change of personnel.Centre backs Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have struggled and, at times, lack the nastiness a Premier League pairing needs. The return to fitness of captain Dan Burn is an obvious starting point to restore some leadership, organisation and accountability, while Joelinton in midfield can provide the same. However, the Brazilian cannot operate as part of a two in Jaissle’s preferred 4-2-3-1, and so a change of shape should also be considered. Joelinton’s return from injury should bring with it an injection of leadership – and potentially a change in systemIt feels like time to invoke the muscle memory of the 4-3-3 used under Howe, especially as Newcastle do not have a specialist No 10 to fill the position currently occupied by Wissa, who is a striker. A three-man midfield would offer more protection and stiffen an area of the pitch in which they are currently being overrun and overwhelmed.At striker, give Wissa a run in his best position and use Fernandez-Pardo, for now, as an impact substitute. Alternatively, accommodate him on one of the wings, where Murphy’s form has been sketchy of late.All is far from lost and, with some tweaks, Newcastle do have some extremely talented players who are capable of better than what they have shown as a collective. It is time for Jaissle and his team to find some answers to what are mounting questions.