'It's time' - Matthias Jaissle makes Newcastle United squad decision with 11 players absent
Matthias Jaissle has outlined Newcastle United’s international break plans.
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has given his non-international players some time off at the start of the international break.
After drawing 1-1 away to Fulham on Saturday, Jaissle’s side head into the two-week break sitting 12th in the Premier League table, having collected 12 points from their opening 10 matches.
The Magpies picked up eight points from a possible 15 before the September and October international breaks, but have managed just four points from the same number of matches heading into this one.
We have launched a new NUFC YouTube channel to bring the latest Newcastle United news and analysis. Click this link and subscribe to NUFC Press Box.
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 outlines NUFC international break plans
It has been a challenging period for Jaissle in particular, whose tactics have been heavily scrutinised, but the German says he and his players must use the opportunity to rest and reflect ahead of a return to action later this month.
Jaissle will be working with a reduced squad when Newcastle return to training this week, with Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Lukas Hornicek, Bazoumana Toure, Malick Thiaw, Sean Steur, Yoane Wissa, Will Osula, Anthony Elanga, Amar Dedic and Aladji Bamba all away with their respective nations until next week.
The Magpies have a crucial period coming up, with the Premier League's current top two, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, up next in consecutive fixtures before Manchester United and Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland, both of whom currently sit inside the relegation zone, visit St James’ Park.
“In general, you need to use time now to refill the batteries for a couple of days,” Jaissle said after the Fulham draw. “That's also important as we have a really long period ahead of us. And also it's time to reflect, to analyse even deeper.
“As for match to match, you're really driven in that spiral. And the national team players, they're occupied anyway, so of course we're watching also the matches, not travelling there, as there are also some players staying home and training.
“Not only in the international break, I think it's important as a human being, as a coach in general, not only as a coach in the Premier League, but to always reflect, to always analyse things, your decisions, how the team is doing, and then take the learnings out of it.”