What Is the Truth Behind Newcastle United's Problems – Recruitment or Jaissle's Tactics?
Yesterday we looked at reports implying that the players were behind Jaissle and were blaming recruitment of too many young inexperienced players as the big issue...
Now there are reports that the players are "confused" about Jaissle's tactics and exactly what he is asking them to do.
Meanwhile, Jaissle himself has expressed frustration that his players are failing to carry out the instructions given to them on the training ground.
So who is right?
The players, the manager, or the media reports?
First, the Players Blamed Recruitment
As we discussed in yesterday's article, The Telegraph reported that some Newcastle players believe the club's summer recruitment has left them poorly equipped for the challenges of this Premier League season.
There are concerns about the balance of the squad, the experience of the new arrivals and whether the players available are suited to Jaissle's preferred system.
That is one explanation for Newcastle's disappointing performances.
But another report has now raised a rather different question.
Now the Players Are Reportedly Confused by Jaissle
According to the Daily Mail's Newcastle Confidential column, sources close to the dressing room suggest that some players are confused about what Jaissle is asking them to do.
The report indicates that the squad remains supportive of the manager and that senior players accept responsibility for their performances.
However, there is reportedly a desire for greater clarity about their individual roles and how the team should operate.
And it raises an obvious question: if the players are confused, how can they be expected to deliver the performances Jaissle demands?
Jaissle Says the Players Aren't Following Instructions
Following Monday's 1–0 home defeat against Everton, Jaissle made it clear that Newcastle had not played the way he wanted.
He was unhappy with the team's pressing and their tendency to play long balls rather than build attacks through the patterns practised in training.
But why did that happen?
Were the players ignoring his instructions?
Did they lack the confidence to carry them out? Or were they uncertain about what was expected of them in the first place?
Those are very different problems, requiring very different solutions.
Is the 4-2-3-1 Formation Part of the Problem?
We've talked this subject to death.
But dying into the relegation grave is exactly where we appear to be heading unless either a) Jaissle manages to find the right players to make it work or b) scraps it and reverts to a formation that is better suited to the squad at his disposal.
A formation is only as effective as the players operating within it, and those players must understand their responsibilities both in possession and when defending.
A new manager, new coaches, a new formation, new players, and mostly young and inexperienced at that... that's a hell of a lot of change in a short period of time and has Jaissle overloaded and confused the players with tactics and play patterns?
That is always the danger of trying to change too much too soon.
You end up with confusion instead of understanding and organisation.
Could All Reports Be Correct?
That is another possibility that should not be overlooked.
It looks as if Newcastle's recruitment has created an unbalanced squad, while Jaissle is simultaneously trying to implement his preferred formation into it.
The players may well acknowledge that Jaissle is a good coach, has good ideas, has a huge job on his hands, is fully committed to the task and are still behind him.
But, at the same time, they are struggling to adapt to his tactics in a team without Gordon, Bruno, Tonali and Tripper and old and new signings who are still looking for their best form or are considered not yet ready from the rigours of the PL.
The Truth? Newcastle Have Big Big Problems
Whatver the truth of the reports...
Jaissle, his coaching team, the squad, and the hierarchy have big problems to solve.
After four defeats in five games, performances getting worse, and three of our next six games against Arsenal, Brighton and Sunderland, the risk of further heavy defeats plus another beating by the old enemy could see big problems turn into a full blown crisis.
The boo's that have rang out at SJP after the final whistle in our last two home games, and even the patience of loyal fans supporting the team away, could multiply and drown the club in a tsunami of frustration, anger and demands for heads to fall.
And, it might not be just Jaissle who sees the axe swinging in his direction.
CEO David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson could also be targetted by the crowd and 52,000 fingers and expletives could be directed in anger at their part in the crisis if poor results continue and we plummet into a relegation position.
Fans in despair at how quickly the euphoria of a first domestic cup win in 70 years, progressing into the last 16 of the CL, and having dreams of a title challenging team have caved into where we are now, and many are boiling with ire.
The patience bucket is all but empty.
IMO another defeat at Fulham and the fire that is flaming now in the fanbase is in danger of becoming a blast furnace that will turn the heat up on the club and be hot enough to be felt by PIF in their offices in Saudi.
Make no mistake...
Newcastle are a club in danger of collapsing into a full blown crisis.
We need results. Starting at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
According to the Chronicle Matthias presser is at 2 pm today. So we should get it shortly after.
I stand by my earlier point: the club is a shit show at the moment. The players aren’t listening to the manager, recruitment has been poor, and—at least from what I can see on the pitch—there’s no plan at all. What else can you call it? Oh, right: a “transitional period.” 🤔
@JfA
Why do you get your knickers in a twist when someone says something that doesn’t align with your point of view? People are entitled to express how they feel or what they think. I’ve noticed you do this quite often with Saratoga, perhaps because he tends to be more negative. 😲
I would rather big Nick came back than bringing in Neave, plus It is up to the hierachy to sort out the problems on the pitch.
I Think Neave just needs to concentrate on getting more starts and more minutes on the pitch at Wolves for now and see how he goes.