Matthias Jaissle suffered a 2-1 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in his first game at St James’ Park, as Newcastle’s pre-season continued to stutter.
The Magpies entertain Liverpool in their Premier League opener next Sunday, but they have little positive momentum on the back of a close-season in which star players have been sold and manager Eddie Howe has stood down.
Leverkusen led after just 44 seconds when Ibrahim Maza smashed beyond new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. Malick Thiaw levelled with a header before half-time but Victor Boniface steered an 82nd-minute winner for the visitors, and the concession again asked questions of Hornicek.
Here, our chief football reporter, Craig Hope, reflects on Newcastle’s loss and their current situation…
IDENTITY CRISIS?
Newcastle have lost their leadership core this summer and, with it, identity. Yes, it is only pre-season, but the absence of standard-bearers, accountability and voices has been all too evident. The team look quiet. They look in desperate need of character and a new culture. Does Jaissle need time to develop that? Or will it only come with the addition of players who bring those qualities?
When Newcastle trailed, Bruno Guimaraes was always the player who donned his cape and came to the rescue. When they needed to set a fast tempo from the start, it was Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon who pressed with pace and aggression. Kieran Trippier was chair of the dark-arts committee. That quartet have gone. What is left behind seems lacking in direction. That is no reflection on Jaissle, his squad just does not have the quality and character of previous seasons, and that much is blindingly obvious.
New manager Matthias Jaissle has been handed a team short on the quality and character that has defined Newcastle’s recent seasons
The German head coach has not been aided by the loss of Joelinton, who will be missing for ‘at least a couple of weeks’ with an unnamed injury.
Jaissle said: ‘We’re not concerned (about Liverpool being so soon). We know the reality and we’ll do the best out of the reality. ‘But it’s a huge challenge. You’re all smart enough to see that. But what we can do, it’s pretty simple – we can do our best every day together with the lads we have here.
‘The club knows exactly the needs (on transfers). We stick with the plan. There will be some changes, for sure.’
KIT FARCE
Just 24 minutes into the first appearance of Newcastle’s new home strip at St James’ Park, the jersey was ditched after an embarrassing kit clash that was obvious to all from the moment the teams left the tunnel.
Jaissle did not appear impressed by his players being forced to second guess quick-fire passes and so, during the first-half drinks break, the black-and-white shirts were ditched and replaced by the violet change kit at the request of the manager. It was not a good look.
Jaissle said: ‘I was surprised when we kicked off because the two shirts were so close to each other. It was smart to change it.’
BIG NICK, BIG QUESTIONS
Nick Woltemade was a problem for Eddie Howe and Jaissle, albeit in three pre-season matches, is no closer to finding a solution. He used his countryman as a No.10 in his first match and as a striker in the two games since. On each occasion it has been much of the same from last season – too loose in possession and struggling to make any impact in the penalty area.
From a PSR perspective, Newcastle could not afford to make a big loss on their club-record £69million signing this summer, and there was no interest at a price at which they would have sold. For now, Jaissle will have to work with him and try to bring about improvement in a player who is not without talent.
But, as we said not long after his arrival on Tyneside, he looks like the missing piece in the jigsaw for someone else’s puzzle.
POSITIVES?
Newcastle should add Benfica right back Amar Dedic, 23, to a defence in desperate need of reinforcement in the coming days. A £30m deal is nearing finalisation.
Mason Miley, 17, played in the position here and was just about his side’s best player. He is strong, robust and smart on the ball. The return of his older brother Lewis was also a timely boost. He has been missing since May with a broken leg and, while short of match fitness and replaced at half-time, the 20-year-old midfielder has the ability to emerge as one of the leaders so badly needed.
Likewise, Yoane Wissa. After a nightmare debut season ruined by a knee injury, the No.9 has been sharp this summer – including his performances at the World Cup – and was again his side’s chief irritant in attack here. Still, you wonder how this team is going to create good chances on a consistent basis.
Yoane Wissa was a bright spark again after a difficult first season marred by a knee injury
CAPTAIN CALL
Finally, Newcastle have a new captain. Dan Burn will replace Guimaraes. The England defender, 34, is yet to appear under Jaissle but will lead the team this season.
Burn said: ‘It’s an absolute honour to be named captain of Newcastle United. It’s always an immense privilege to represent this football club, especially when I have been trusted with the armband on previous occasions, but to lead the team on a permanent basis is going to be really special.
‘It’s been an incredible journey since I joined the club four-and-a-half years ago – we’ve achieved some amazing things together and enjoyed some unforgettable moments. I believe there’s still more to come and I’m relishing the responsibility of pushing everybody every single day to make sure that is the case.’
Jaissle said: ‘Dan is a natural leader and a perfect fit for the role of Newcastle United captain. He puts the interests of the team ahead of his own every time he steps onto the pitch and always gives maximum commitment in everything he does.
‘Off the pitch, he leads by example in how he conducts himself. Not many people understand what this club means to the city better than Dan and that experience will be vital in helping guide our younger players through this period of change and adaptation.’
