‘Naive’ - Steve Bruce questions Matthias Jaissle after Newcastle United nightmare
Steve Bruce worked as a pundit during Newcastle United’s heavy defeat to Leeds United.
Steve Bruce has doubted Matthias Jaissle’s system after Newcastle United lost 4-1 to Leeds United.
The Magpies were dealt a humbling reality check at Elland Road, with a dominant home performance having the game wrapped up by half-time. Bazoumana Toure salvaged a late consolation but the travelling Toon fans had long given up on a second-half fightback.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Newcastle manager Bruce questioned Jaissle’s decision to play two strikers. Yoane Wissa and Matias Fernandez-Pardo - in his first Magpies start - led the line to little avail.
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‘Naive’ - Steve Bruce
"It's certainly bold in his selection that's for sure and it's bold in the selection throughout,” Bruce said. “The No.10 for example, they're not dropping in and playing a No.10.
"They're playing two out and out centre-forwards and they've got two out and out wide players which leaves the middle of the pitch and they're trying to press the ball high up the pitch. They're a little bit naive in the whole defensive outlook of what they're trying to achieve.
“It looks great when it comes off and but when it goes badly wrong it's awful to experience because they've just been so naive. And you're right about youngsters. I mean, they've also got Joe Willock, who's had a really good start to the season.
"He's sitting on the bench too. I do believe if you're coming to somewhere like Leeds and go out and out attack, play two centre-forwards and two wide players. For me it's a very, very big call."
Matthias Jaissle reflects
Jaissle honestly reflected on a “tough” night in West Yorkshire. He added: "That was a tough match, a tough evening. We said beforehand this season would be with many challenges and tonight we faced a big challenge.
“A tough night, we didn't wish to have that but we need to learn straight away and the good part is we play at home on Saturday and we need to show the right reaction straight away.
"We are all in the same boat, I don't want to blame anyone. In the Premier League, you need to bring the fundamentals on to the pitch, the physicality. If the opponent is showing that and if you can't match this physicality then it's going to be difficult and that's something we learned today.
"I don't want to search for excuses. We know with a young squad if something goes wrong you need to find the right reaction on the pitch and we were not able to do that."
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