Newcastle United vs Everton Preview: Another Chance to See Jaissle’s TeamTake Shape

Newcastle continue their pre-season preparations this evening when they face Everton at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, with kick-off scheduled for 5:15pm.

It may only be a friendly, but for Newcastle supporters this is another fascinating opportunity to see what Matthias Jaissle is trying to build.

Our new manager made the perfect start to life in the dugout at the weekend, with Newcastle beating Valencia 2-1 at the Mestalla in his first game in charge.

Now comes a Premier League opponent and another important step towards the new season.

More Signs of the Jaissle System?

Perhaps the biggest thing to watch tonight isn't the result – it's the system.

Jaissle hasn't had much time with his new squad, but we're already beginning to look for clues about how Newcastle will operate under him.

His teams have traditionally been built around intensity, pressing and moving the ball forward quickly after possession is won.

Against Everton, we should get another opportunity to see which Newcastle players are adapting quickest to those demands.

And with Jaissle currently assessing his squad before Newcastle make further moves in the transfer market, performances could carry more significance than you would normally expect from a pre-season friendly.

Some players are effectively auditioning for their place in his plans.

Who Gets Their Opportunity?

Squad selection will therefore be particularly interesting.

Will he use tonight to take a closer look at those he still needs to make a decision on?

Newcastle still have further friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday and Strasbourg on Sunday, so the manager has opportunities to spread minutes around.

Managing workloads will be important, but we're quickly reaching the stage where Jaissle needs to start identifying something close to his preferred starting XI.

After the game against Strasbourg next up it's Liverpool on the following Sunday and I'd expect Matthias to have his team selection all but sorted after these coming friendlies.

Report: Two signings close

Lee Ryder believes two signings are close with one possibly being Benfica full back Amar Dedic who has previously played under Jaissle.

Whether Ryder's report is true or not 'close' isn't close enough to starting against Liverpool if we don't get signings through the door by this weekend latest.

I'm OK with Jaissle putting a hold on transfers until he has assessed the squad - we don't want any rushed square peg in round hole signings - but if Jaissle has given the nod then the quicker Ross Wilson gets the deals done the better.

It's an early KO at 5.15pm and floodlights might be needed during the eclipse which starts its track down the UK from Scotland.

With the PL start just over a week away I'm expecting both teams to be out to impress their respective managers and I think we'll see a competitive game.

Hopefully without the kind of horrendous tackle that could have seen Anthony Elanga out for the season.

Newcastle team news: Lewis Hall starts at left-back

Newcastle XI: Hornicek; Shahar, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Joelinton, Bamba; Elanga, Wissa, Toure; Osula

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