'We must' - Yoane Wissa issues rallying Newcastle United call after taking on new role
Yoane Wissa is part of Newcastle United’s five-man Player Leadership Group.
Yoane Wissa has called for Newcastle to stay united after taking on a senior role within the squad.
The 30-year-old was one of five players named in Matthias Jaissle’s Player Leadership Group ahead of the new season, alongside captain Dan Burn, vice-captain Joelinton, Malick Thiaw and Lewis Miley.
Wissa had a debut campaign to forget after joining from Brentford for £55million last summer, but looked to be putting those struggles behind him with a man-of-the-match performance in the Magpies’ Premier League opening-day draw at home to Liverpool. He followed that up by scoring in a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur a week later.
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However, that remains Wissa’s only goal so far. The striker saw a penalty saved in the 2-1 victory over Hull City in September and has dropped out of the side in recent weeks, with both Joe Willock and Will Osula preferred by Jaissle.
But Wissa isn't the only one struggling for form, with his teammates also finding it difficult. After starting the season unbeaten in their opening five matches, United have won just two of their last seven, losing the other five.
Yoane Wissa calls for Newcastle to be united
Jaissle’s men were booed off following Monday's 1-0 defeat at home to Everton, but Wissa has vowed to be a “positive” influence behind the scenes as he urges the squad to stick together.
“This is my first time writing to you after being chosen as part of the team’s Leadership Group this season, which was a role I was very happy and proud to be given,” Wissa told the club’s official programme ahead of the game.
“It’s a new role for me and I know the Head Coach has trust in me to bring energy and positivity, and of course most importantly, try to score goals and help the team win games.
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“When times are tough, I try to talk to the guys and be positive in every moment, because we have a young squad.
“But we know that we have a lot of quality and we just need to focus on that and make sure that everyone stays together because not everything is black and white. We need to find the right balance, mentally and physically, to get results.
“We must be united as a squad and also channel the energy of our fans, who travelled in such numbers to Merseyside and who we know will be right behind us again here tonight.
“We always want to win for the badge of the club, but especially so for you when we hear you screaming our names and supporting us.”