Everything Matthias Jaissle said after Newcastle United's 1-0 defeat to Everton - this is worrying
Everything Matthias Jaissle said after Newcastle United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton.
The half-time and full-time boos at St James’ Park said it all after Newcastle United slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Everton.
It was an all-too-familiar story for the Magpies, who were toothless in attack and vulnerable in defence. They have now lost five of their last seven games in all competitions as the scrutiny continues to mount on head coach Matthias Jaissle.
The Toffees took the lead in the 49th minute through Thierno Barry. The striker could barely believe his luck as he tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.
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The goal came after Newcastle switched off from a free-kick. Tyrique George was picked out by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in behind, before his shot was spilled by goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek and fell perfectly into Barry’s path.
At the other end, the Magpies had to wait until the 85th minute to register their first shot on target.
Here’s everything Jaissle said in his post-match press conference on the performance and what needs to change going forward:
Another difficult night. I think you can tell from the mood inside the stadium that there was a lot of frustration, a lot of anger this evening...
“Definitely, I was aware of that, and it was the same in the locker room.
“Big frustration, big disappointment because we couldn't transfer what we saw during the week. The team was really training on a high level in the approach, how we actually wanted to play today.
“Since the referee started the game, not much was seen. That's difficult to understand, first of all. Of course, the fans, they're frustrated, like we are.”
What was the approach today? It just seemed to be, in the first half in particular, long balls from the back. They weren't going anywhere?
“Yeah, you're right, that was the frustrating part. We played with a double-six today, we should support our centre-backs and also break the first line, like we had many, many occasions when we were in Everton.
“We couldn't bring them into the game, we were not brave enough, not courageous enough to break that line. We wanted to play on the ground as well, and then finding our patterns on the pitch.
“Like I said, we looked really good in the training session, but there was almost nothing to see from these aspects in the game.”
What is the solution to this?
“Yeah, we need to, of course, analyse that now in detail. It's also clear that I have the responsibility, and I also take that as a manager of this club. We need to do things better, like I just mentioned.
“There were many, many things, not only in possession, which was not on the level we expected to see, but also out of possession. We wanted to press them high, we wanted to stress them as soon as possible, and then also make a clear distinction if that was overplayed from the opposition team, that we defended a contact block, but nothing in between.
“So, again, it was not much seen today on the pitch”
How can you get more from Will Osula?
“Yeah, we couldn't bring him into situations. Let's start again with the thing I just mentioned, that we also need to jump the first lines with clear patterns, how we want to play football. If we just play long balls, that's for sure not the style he prefers, and it was not the plan.
“That's also something you need to clearly mention. This is now the next step, to analyse it tomorrow in depth, why we couldn't start the game like we originally planned”
How concerned is it for you that the players didn't carry out what had been the game plan?
“We're all in the same boat, we need to analyse it also. Again, I'm responsible for that, to make it work. The players finding that belief, finding that confidence, to play also in possession.
“In the second half also, even if you lack confidence, you should be able to bring the ball fast enough in the box, because then you make the defenders from Everton defend, and make them have a more difficult job.
“We were not brave enough to challenge them, to go for the crosses then, to penetrate the last line of them. We played too much around, against a low block, and this is something we need to work on, to find even more solutions like we did in Everton, much better.”
I think it was one shot on target against Aston Villa here, and then you didn't have a shot on target for the 85th minute tonight. Presumably that is not what you want to see?
“Exactly. That was not the ideal plan, definitely. It starts again with the things we just mentioned: to find solutions to break the first line, and then also be more target-oriented.
“Then you get more shots, then you force them to make mistakes, also, like unfortunately we did today.”
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What do you want your Newcastle United side to look like as well?
“We talked about it already in the pre-season. We have a clear identity of how we want to play football.
“It means we want to, especially here at home, stress the opposition high on the pitch, bring them into stressful situations. Today you saw that we were not brave enough to really go all the way to make the last steps and force them to make mistakes. Also in possession, it was not the plan to shoot the long balls.
“We spoke about patterns, how we can create problems, how we create two-versus-one situations on the pitch. But again, it was not much to see today in these 90 minutes, and it's something we need to work on.”
You mentioned bravery there, how do you find that? Is it also something to do with confidence.
“At the moment, it's a bit difficult. If the results are not there, if the goals are not coming easily, then you lack confidence. That's normal as a human being, but to come out of that, that's only possible as a unit.
“You need to now stick together. Every one of us, we saw that we are capable of that in the training week. We saw the elements, we saw that they can also refuel the potential. Now it's about making that transfer in the next game.”
How would you assess the goal we conceded?
“I didn't see it on TV, just from my perspective in the game.
“I think we did an unforced error in the build-up, which led them to a free kick. To be honest, we were just sleeping. It's too easy that they make a quick free kick and we are surprised.
“Also part of the truth is that in my eyes it was a foul. At least if he's bleeding, they assume that there is something. And of course, on a good day, also Lukas will save it.”
Is there still the quality in this group of players to do better?
“Yeah, we saw that during the week. That's giving us hope. It's just now to have that bravery and that courage to transfer that on the match.”
Are you worried by the situation? Are you worried by the lack of delivery?
“I'm not worried, but we're all aware that we need to make now a fast learning curve in the right direction. And again, to overcome that.
“It's not my first time as a manager. And the players, I just mentioned that also in the locker room, they were also in these situations already. I'm pretty sure, depending if it's a young lad or an experienced player.
“So the only way is now togetherness, showing unity. And then belief comes, because we know that we can count, we can believe on our teammates, on the staff. And as a unit, you can overcome that challenge.”
You mentioned that you made a slight tweak to the system. Would you consider bigger changes?
“Of course, now if you have results like that, you analyse everything in particular. And that's again my responsibility to do that from tonight onwards, and to find solutions.”
Sean Steur came on, he seemed to be quite well. Do you think he might be back into your thinking?
“Yeah, he's always in my thinking, always in my thoughts. Not only after that match, he's doing a good job. Definitely, we see that as well.”
Does it come to a point where if the players are not carrying out your instructions, you have to say, ‘I have to change, I have to make changes, I have to bring players in that haven't been in so far?’
“It's always good to find a balance as a coach, right? Especially when there is a bit of a lack of confidence as well. If you change just after one bad performance, then where should they get the belief then?
“So it's always this balance you need to manage, but of course if other players are knocking on the door due to the training performance as well, then it's getting easier to make changes.”