Jacob Murphy opens up on Matthias Jaissle's tactics after 'vertical football' concerns

Jacob Murphy has offered an insight into Matthias Jaissle's tactical approach at Newcastle United, admitting that players must take responsibility for finding better solutions when the team's direct style becomes too predictable.

The winger believes the benefits of Newcastle's approach are clear, amid concerns around what Jaissle's 'vertical football' really is, but insists there is more to it than simply getting the ball forward as quickly as possible. 

Murphy on Jaissle's fast-football approach 

Speaking to the Shields Gazette, Murphy explained how Jaissle's tactics are designed to exploit space quickly, particularly when Newcastle win possession in defensive areas.

“The strengths of the game plan is we can attack their goal quickly and in one or two passes. We've got really quick players.

“If we're sat in a low block and we win it, whoever's won the ball, can we secure the first pass and then the forwards be ready to run and take advantage of any space left behind?

“But one thing that we also want to try and do more is control the game, and I think in spells today, we had a bit more control and we were living in different shapes for a bit longer, trusting each other, not taking things too literal.

“There's been talk of a direct style and sometimes we can be guilty of doing that too much, but it's decisions that we as players have to take and be accountable for.”

Jaissle doesn't want long ball tactics - Murphy 

There has been growing discussion about our tendency to play forward too quickly under Jaissle, with the approach attracting criticism when the team has struggled to retain possession and build attacks. 

Too often, especially against Everton last Monday, we've punted it long to Will Osula or Yoane Wissa and quickly lost possession, either due to the waywardness of our passing or their inability to hold up the ball.

Murphy acknowledged that the players have sometimes been guilty of going too direct, but made clear that launching the ball forward is not an instruction from their head coach.

“People are talking about hoofing it up the pitch and stuff like that. Okay, maybe we've been guilty of doing stuff like that, but that's where we just have to take a breath, find a man.

“It's not the instruction to hoof it forward, it's to get to the goal quickly. Yes, there's no denying that, but we have to take it upon us to find better solutions and problem-solve ourselves.”

Murphy's comments suggest Jaissle wants Newcastle to attack with pace without sacrificing control. The responsibility, according to the winger, lies with the players to recognise when to play forward and when to take a moment to retain possession.

That distinction could prove important as we look to find greater consistency under the German.