Jason Tindall may be known for his touchline antics in the shadow of Eddie Howe - but the stand-in gaffer has already shown Crystal Palace and any future Newcastle United opponents his tactical nous in the short period of time since stepping into his colleague's shoes.
The Magpies made light work of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, dispatching Ruben Amorim's side 4-1 at St James' Park. An impressive display, earned after a stellar second-half which brought three goals for the home side.
Despite enjoying a solid first-half, finding the net through Sandro Tonali and showing defensive solidity despite an Alejandro Garnacho equaliser, Tindall wanted to make a change. When the players returned to the pitch in the second period, players pressed higher and, in turn, forced the Red Devils into more mistakes.
Newcastle switched to a man-to-man pressing style as the game progressed, after seeing their early system lead to big chances conceded before the interval. Kieran Trippier sat further up the pitch, freeing Tonali to push higher, rather than marking Bruno Fernandes deep in midfield.
Meanwhile, the decision to move Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy forward when out of possession, coupled with some Manchester United players losing their footing, helped Tindall's men regain - and then extend - their lead as the game went on.
"We had to make a couple of adjustments to our press. We felt we were probably a few yards off," Tindall told reporters in the aftermath of the 4-1 victory. "Certainly down the left-hand side, we weren't getting close enough to be able to regain the ball. To stop Manchester United's forward passes.
“In the second half, we closed in gaps. The distances were a lot shorter. It was a little bit more aggressive. I certainly thought that helped us, especially in the second half.
“We were able to have a lot more regains, create a few chances. Off the back of it, we scored a couple of goals.”
Tindall may have tweaked the in-game system at the halfway stage but there was one part of Sunday's win that was not up for debate; his starting lineup. With all Newcastle players emerging from the 4-1 win unscathed, it is unlikely the United No2 will be making any pre-match changes before Wednesday's visit of Palace.
"I've not had any contact for a couple of days other than the one message," Tindall said when quizzed over Howe's pre-game contact and input on the team selection. "I think the team probably picked itself with recent performances.
"But when he was ill and he was unable to be here, he put his trust in myself and the rest of the support staff to go out and deliver the performance."
