Matthias Jaissle responds to 'anonymous' player's Newcastle United display v Fulham as alarming stat emerges
Fulham 1-1 Newcastle United: Matthias Jaissle’s side were made to rue their missed chances at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle United striker William Osula failed to register a shot on goal or touch inside the opposition box against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year-old was tasked with leading the line for the Magpies at Craven Cottage but ultimately had a frustrating afternoon. After failing to threaten the Fulham goal all afternoon, the Danish forward was dispossessed in the build-up to Fulham’s equaliser by Rodrigo Muniz to cancel out Jacob Murphy’s strike two minutes earlier.
Despite an improved display from Newcastle on the whole as they secured a 1-1 draw, Osula didn’t escape the Gazette player ratings as he was handed a 2/10 grade.
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“A pretty anonymous showing,” the ratings read. “Strolled around the pitch at times. Isn't running about like the young, hungry lad we saw last season.”
And when asked about Osula’s performance and his lack of action in and around the penalty area, Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle said: “I think there were elements and occasions where it was about to be able to have a shot in the box and to be clinical.
“Sometimes as a striker you don't need to have many occasions, sometimes one is enough. But in general there were other ones as well in positions to be able to score, you saw that. So, unfortunately we missed these opportunities.”
While Osula lacked chances, Newcastle were denied on several occasions by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Harvey Barnes forced two good saves from the German and curled an effort narrowly wide while Lewis Hall also forced a smart stop.
Dan Burn had a goal ruled out in the first half due to an off-the-ball foul by Yoane Wissa. And now 13 games into the new season in all competitions, Newcastle’s strikers have just two goals between them.
“I think they know it themselves,” Jaissle responded when asked if his strikers need to score more goals.
“I don't need to even mention a striker needs to be always aware of every situation in the game. When there's anything just coming in the penalty area or in the box then, I need to be there as a striker.
“I need to have that nose, that feeling and everything. Or if something is dropping for a second ball or there's a cross possible, I'm there. And they know it, they work hard on that, they work hard on the finishes, and we can be for sure more efficient and hopefully in the future we see their progress.”