Ross Wilson's first Newcastle United deal under scrutiny as Matthias Jaissle inherits big problem
Newcastle United’s 3-1 defeat to Everton on Wednesday night highlighted several concerns heading into the new Premier League season.
Matthias Jaissle has not been shy in admitting Newcastle United’s preparations and squad situation heading into the new Premier League season are far from ideal.
The club has lost key players and still looks some way short with the opening game against Liverpool now just over a week away. Wednesday night’s 3-1 defeat against Everton, Newcastle’s first taste of Premier League opposition in the Jaissle era, was not so much a wake-up call as confirmation of the concerns already surrounding the club and squad.
Jaissle, to his credit, is focusing on what he can control and trying to instil positivity ahead of the new season. He is right to say it would not ‘make sense’ to dwell on the negatives before a competitive ball has even been kicked.
But questions about what his squad needs have been met with variations of ‘you’re smart enough to know’. A backhanded compliment that only highlights how obvious the gaps have become.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Matthias Jaissle needs backing
The new head coach needs backing in the transfer market. A full-back, midfielder and another attacking option remain essential in the final weeks of the window. None of this should come as a surprise. It was clear from the start that Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon were leaving, while it quickly became apparent Bruno Guimaraes could follow.
That happened last week. Yet Newcastle’s progress on the recruitment front has remained limited.
A full-back is still yet to arrive, while the other additions have largely been young players with limited top-flight experience.
Selling your best players and replacing them with inexperience (or not replacing them at all) after a 12th-place finish hardly feels like a recipe for a better season.
That makes it even more important for Newcastle’s experienced players to step up, something Jaissle has challenged them to do both publicly and privately.
The captaincy is still up for grabs and there are opportunities throughout the squad as Jaissle searches for his strongest XI.
Sven Botman concerns after new contract
Perhaps the biggest concern is that players who previously functioned within a successful side, such as Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock, now look far less convincing when being asked to provide the answers. Both are entering the final year of their contracts and could yet leave before the window closes.
But it is a player who recently signed a new deal who has been the biggest concern of pre-season.
Sven Botman was one of the first players Ross Wilson identified as someone Newcastle wanted to tie down when he arrived as sporting director. The Dutch defender duly signed a new long-term contract.
Botman’s debut season suggested Newcastle had unearthed another elite young centre-back. But injuries have taken their toll since, and his return to fitness has offered little encouragement this summer.
He has already made several costly individual errors. Against Everton, he was slow to react to a loose ball as Thierno Barry broke clear and eventually scored. We can only hope that it’s pre-season rust from the 26-year-old and not a sign of what is to come.
The departures of quality players, limited recruitment and concerns over established players’ form do not exactly create an atmosphere of optimism.
None of that is Jaissle’s fault. He can only work with the hand he has been dealt.
Everyone is looking for something to build optimism around before the season begins.