'Amazing' - Big Matias Fernandez-Pardo hint dropped ahead of Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is set to start Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Matthias Jaissle is set to stick with Matias Fernandez-Pardo for Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa, believing a first goal for the Belgian is only a matter of time.
The 21-year-old, who arrived from Lille for £51million on deadline day, missed a golden opportunity to open his Magpies account during Monday night’s 4-1 defeat at Coventry City.
Fernandez-Pardo should have made it 1-1 just before half-time after rounding goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, but with the goal at his mercy, his effort was blocked by Bobby Thomas.
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It proved a costly miss, with Sidiki Cherif doubling the Sky Blues’ lead shortly after the break. Sven Botman pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining, but United’s hopes of a comeback were ended by late goals from Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni.
Fernandez-Pardo has been deployed as a striker so far, despite calls for him to be played out wide. Jaissle, however, is set to stick to his guns for Saturday’s visit of Aston Villa, believing that a goal could be all the player needs to kickstart his Newcastle career.
Jaissle said: “I think, as you're much longer in the Premier League than I am, you know that young lads coming first time to the Premier League that they need the adaptation time. I often got the recommendation and also the advice that I should be patient for at least half a year until winter with these lads.
“Of course you don't have the time in the Premier League, so the development, the adjustment needs to be as fast as possible but I'm glad that we see him already in the situations where he's bringing the principles on the pitch, he's creating the chances.
“I think it's just the goal missing right now to give him the confidence back. But he's an amazing player and he has so much potential.”
“Top, really top,” Jaissle added when asked how Fernandez-Pardo had performed in training this week. “We're all convinced that it's just a matter of time.
“I watched him today after the session when he got a couple of more finishes. Pure class. So again, fully convinced that he will perform again on a good level like he did and he's hopefully getting the rewards.”