“Amazing signing” - Matthias Jaissle hails Lukas Horníček
Matthias Jaissle has described Lukas Lukáš Horníček as an “amazing signing”, and his comments about the confidence our new goalkeeper gives the team will strike a chord with Newcastle fans.
After a stuttering pre-season, the big Czech stopper has quickly started to look at home. His manager is clearly impressed by how he’s handled the step up, praising his calmness and maturity ahead of the trip to Leeds.
“An amazing job so far. Amazing signing, a young lad as well and not easy coming into the Premier League and performing already on a high level and dealing with the pressure.
“As a keeper it is something else as well. So we are really pleased and we hope can continue to progress in the same way. I like him a lot as he's so calm but so mature as well.
“He gives the whole team this confidence having someone between the posts with that confidence and showing it also. There's not even a sign of nervousness, so that helps a lot.”
That reassurance can make a massive difference. Defenders have enough to think about without worrying about what’s happening behind them.
Dúbravka and Pope showed us the difference
We saw it first-hand when Martin Dúbravka came into Rafa Benítez’s side. From that debut clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Manchester United, he brought an assurance that seemed to settle everyone around him. It took very little time for him to feel like our goalkeeper.
Nick Pope had a similar effect under Eddie Howe. His willingness to come off his line and deal with danger gave the defence confidence to push up, while his shot-stopping helped make us so difficult to beat. His first season was outstanding, and his contribution deserves remembering as Horníček takes over the role.
Horníček is already bringing that same reassurance. He’s a huge presence, his shot-stopping has looked dependable and he’s comfortable with either foot.
There have been a few loose moments in possession, but the overall impression is encouraging. His handling of the physical challenge and dangerous crosses in Tuesday’s win at Millwall was another useful step for a goalkeeper still getting used to football here.
Plenty more to come from Horni
He’s only 24 and still getting used to his teammates. I’d expect him to become even more assured as that understanding develops.
With so much changing at Newcastle, getting this signing right mattered. We needed a goalkeeper who could improve us immediately and still have his best years ahead of him. Horníček is starting to look like a very good answer to both.
Jaissle has plenty to work on, but having a keeper who settles the players around him should make that job easier. If this is Horníček while he’s still finding his feet, I’m looking forward to seeing him when this team properly clicks.
