Sven Botman struggled for Newcastle United in pre-season but has started the new campaign strongly.

Sven Botman is relishing the chance to kick on at Newcastle United under Matthias Jaissle.

A patchy pre-season campaign led many to doubt the Dutchman ahead of the Premier League opener. Botman particularly struggled in the 4-1 defeat to Bristol City.

However, with Dan Burn sidelined, Jaissle backed the centre-back and he has grown in confidence alongside Malick Thiaw. A solid display against Tottenham Hotspur drew special praise and was a sign that Botman has overcome his long-standing injury woes.

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‘New ideas’ - Sven Botman

Speaking to the club’s official matchday programme, Botman opened up about the new lease of life Jaissle has given the Newcastle squad. He said: “I think it's a new fresh air, new ideas, new tactics. And a lot of new players as well.

“Everybody is really hungry and really excited for the season. We definitely want to set high standards and the new gaffer is putting high standards (in place).

“We're on a good track. There's still a lot of work to be done. We've only trained for four weeks together. So it's early doors but everybody is really hungry. We're really excited for what's coming.”

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Newcastle United building blocks

Botman - who arrived for £32million from Lille in 2022 - is aiming to build upon the foundations Eddie Howe laid during his four-and-a-half-year reign in the dugout. He is now one of the senior players in the squad after Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes left over the summer.

“I don't know about a new start, we built something great already in the last few years,” Botman added. “We built a good name for ourselves as a club and now we want to build on it.

“Of course, a club like Newcastle is going to change the way we want to go up. This summer has maybe seen more changes than usual but I don't see it as a new start. I see it as something we have built already and we just want to continue it with some new faces.”

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