Matthias Jaissle suffered a 2-1 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in his first sport at St James’ Park, as Newcastle’s pre-season continued to stutter.
The Magpies entertain Liverpool of their Premier League opener subsequent Sunday, however they’ve little constructive momentum on the again of a close-season by which star gamers have been offered and supervisor Eddie Howe has stood down.
Leverkusen led after simply 44 seconds when Ibrahim Maza smashed past new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. Malick Thiaw levelled with a header earlier than half-time however Victor Boniface steered an 82nd-minute winner for the guests, and the concession once more requested questions of Hornicek.
Right here, our chief soccer reporter, Craig Hope, displays on Newcastle’s loss and their present state of affairs…
IDENTITY CRISIS?
Newcastle have misplaced their management core this summer season and, with it, identification. Sure, it is just pre-season, however the absence of standard-bearers, accountability and voices has been all too evident. The workforce look quiet. They appear in determined want of character and a brand new tradition. Does Jaissle want time to develop that? Or will it solely include the addition of gamers who carry these qualities?
When Newcastle trailed, Bruno Guimaraes was at all times the participant who donned his cape and got here to the rescue. After they wanted to set a quick tempo from the beginning, it was Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon who pressed with tempo and aggression. Kieran Trippier was chair of the dark-arts committee. That quartet have gone. What’s left behind appears missing in route. That’s no reflection on Jaissle, his squad simply doesn’t have the standard and character of earlier seasons, and that a lot is blindingly apparent.
New supervisor Matthias Jaissle has been handed a workforce quick on the standard and character that has outlined Newcastle’s current seasons
The German head coach has not been aided by the lack of Joelinton, who will probably be lacking for ‘at the very least a few weeks’ with an unnamed harm.
Jaissle mentioned: ‘We’re not involved (about Liverpool being so quickly). We all know the truth and we’ll do the most effective out of the truth. ‘Nevertheless it’s an enormous problem. You’re all sensible sufficient to see that. However what we will do, it is fairly easy – we will do our greatest every single day along with the lads now we have right here.
‘The membership is aware of precisely the wants (on transfers). We keep on with the plan. There will probably be some adjustments, for positive.’
KIT FARCE
Simply 24 minutes into the primary look of Newcastle’s new residence strip at St James’ Park, the jersey was ditched after an embarrassing package conflict that was apparent to all from the second the groups left the tunnel.
Jaissle didn’t seem impressed by his gamers being compelled to second guess quick-fire passes and so, in the course of the first-half drinks break, the black-and-white shirts had been ditched and changed by the violet change package on the request of the supervisor. It was not a great look.
Jaissle mentioned: ‘I used to be stunned once we kicked off as a result of the 2 shirts had been so shut to one another. It was sensible to vary it.’
BIG NICK, BIG QUESTIONS
Nick Woltemade was an issue for Eddie Howe and Jaissle, albeit in three pre-season matches, is not any nearer to discovering an answer. He used his countryman as a No.10 in his first match and as a striker within the two video games since. On every event it has been a lot of the identical from final season – too unfastened in possession and struggling to make any affect within the penalty space.
From a PSR perspective, Newcastle couldn’t afford to make a giant loss on their club-record £69million signing this summer season, and there was no curiosity at a value at which they might have offered. For now, Jaissle should work with him and attempt to result in enchancment in a participant who just isn’t with out expertise.
However, as we mentioned not lengthy after his arrival on Tyneside, he seems just like the lacking piece within the jigsaw for another person’s puzzle.
POSITIVES?
Newcastle ought to add Benfica proper again Amar Dedic, 23, to a defence in determined want of reinforcement within the coming days. A £30m deal is nearing finalisation.
Mason Miley, 17, performed within the place right here and was nearly his aspect’s greatest participant. He’s robust, strong and sensible on the ball. The return of his older brother Lewis was additionally a well timed enhance. He has been lacking since Might with a damaged leg and, whereas wanting match health and changed at half-time, the 20-year-old midfielder has the flexibility to emerge as one of many leaders so badly wanted.
Likewise, Yoane Wissa. After a nightmare debut season ruined by a knee harm, the No.9 has been sharp this summer season – together with his performances on the World Cup – and was once more his aspect’s chief irritant in assault right here. Nonetheless, you marvel how this workforce goes to create good probabilities on a constant foundation.
Yoane Wissa was a brilliant spark once more after a troublesome first season marred by a knee harm
CAPTAIN CALL
Lastly, Newcastle have a brand new captain. Dan Burn will exchange Guimaraes. The England defender, 34, is but to seem underneath Jaissle however will lead the workforce this season.
Burn mentioned: ‘It’s an absolute honour to be named captain of Newcastle United. It’s at all times an immense privilege to symbolize this soccer membership, particularly when I’ve been trusted with the armband on earlier events, however to steer the workforce on a everlasting foundation goes to be actually particular.
‘It’s been an unimaginable journey since I joined the membership four-and-a-half years in the past – we’ve achieved some wonderful issues collectively and loved some unforgettable moments. I consider there’s nonetheless extra to return and I’m relishing the accountability of pushing all people each single day to be sure that is the case.’
Jaissle mentioned: ‘Dan is a pure chief and an ideal match for the function of Newcastle United captain. He places the pursuits of the workforce forward of his personal each time he steps onto the pitch and at all times offers most dedication in all the things he does.
‘Off the pitch, he leads by instance in how he conducts himself. Not many individuals perceive what this membership means to the town higher than Dan and that have will probably be very important in serving to information our youthful gamers via this era of change and adaptation.’
