Matthias Jaissle needs signings...quickly - Newcastle 1-3 Everton

A competitive run-out at Murrayfield against Premier League opposition as Matthias Jaissle suffered his first defeat as Newcastle United manager at the hands of Everton.

A strong Newcastle side started comfortably, creating openings for Wissa and Elanga, only for another Botman mistake and a soft penalty to send Everton into the break 2-0 up. Total control for the Toffees, before 10 second-half changes led to a flat final 45, which only got worse as Tyrique George made it 3-0. 

Our lack of creativity from midfield was evident without Bruno or Sean Steur in from the start, highlighting our need for another technician and difference-maker, alongside full-backs and leaders to fill the gaps left by Bruno, Trippier and Lascelles, just to name a few.

Jaissle selected a strong side in Scotland. New signings Lukas Hornicek and Aladji Bamba started once again, with Bazoumana Toure drafted in down the left, Joelinton captaining the side and Yoane Wissa starting just behind Will Osula after his brace in Valencia last Saturday.

It was a relief to see Anthony Elanga fit enough to start so soon after being stretchered off in Spain, while Hall's return at left-back was a welcome boost after sitting out our last few pre-season friendlies.

Nick Pope (set to leave) and Ewen Jaouen (back) missed out again, while Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar were absent through injury, with the game coming too soon for Dan Burn following his return from an extended break.

First half Newcastle XI: Hornicek - Shahar, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Joelinton (c), Bamba, Elanga, Wissa, Toure, Osula

Second half Newcastle XI: Hornicek - M.Miley, Johnson, Pivas, Charlton - Ramsey, Steur - Murphy, Willock, Barnes - Woltemade.

Everton XI: Travers, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, Patterson, Dewsbury-Hall, Hackney, George, Armstrong, Ndiaye, Barry

Newcastle 0-3 Everton - A sobering defeat 

The first opening fell to Wissa, who almost lobbed Travers after ghosting in down the right from a ball over the top. The DR Congo star came close again, this time volleying over after good work from Toure, then Elanga forced Travers into a good low save after curling towards the far post.

Bamba took time to settle into the match, misplacing a few early passes and losing the ball in poor areas, which almost led to an Everton opener, when Hornicek reacted quickly to deny Dewsbury-Hall from close range.

While Bamba was sloppy and looking every bit a 20-year-old still finding his feet, Joelinton was dominant in the middle of the park, putting out fires and being typically physical as he wore the captain's armband. Toure also picked up where he left off in Valencia, driving at his man, showing brilliant bursts of pace and linking with his teammates down the left. 

Then came the opener. After a good win from Bamba and a driving run from Wissa ended in an Osula effort well stopped by Tarkowski, Thiaw didn't deal with the long ball before Botman made his latest pre-season error to hand Everton the lead. Hall initially did superbly to stop Barry after Botman's weak challenge allowed the Frenchman in, but he wasn't tracked in the second phase and fired past Hornicek, who couldn't get a strong enough hand to his low effort. 1-0 Everton.

Everton should've made it 2-0, as Hornicek did superbly to deny Ndiaye at the end of a slick attack, but we were soon two goals down when Joelinton brought down Dewsbury-Hall in the next attack. A soft penalty that VAR might've intervened on, nevertheless Ndiaye stepped up and sent Hornicek the wrong way to make it two. 

Jaissle then made wholesale changes at the break, with Hornicek the only starter to remain on the pitch heading into the second 45.

On came Miley junior, Johnson, Pivas, Charlton, Ramsey, Steur, Murphy, Willock, Barnes and Woltemade, leaving us with a teenage backline that highlighted our concerning lack of depth at the back just 10 days away from the big kick-off.

We almost kicked things off with an immediate response, as Murphy forced Travers into a big save after getting in behind Mykolenko and letting fly. 

As expected, the wholesale changes left us unbalanced and disjointed, lacking the cohesion, control or quality needed to overturn this two-goal deficit against Premier League opposition.

Tyrique George then made it 3-0 with an impressive finish on the turn, before something finally went our way with five minutes to play, as Murphy's fizzed cross was fired home by Barnes to make it 3-1 after some positive build-up play from Willock. The first moment of pace and precision we'd shown all game, albeit too late in the day.

It's only pre-season, but this felt like a sobering reminder of our squad's limitations for Jaissle, who saw a defence lacking full-back cover or dominant centre-backs, a midfield crying out for creativity and leadership, and a forward line limited by the lack of spark surrounding it.

With the season just 10 days away and at least three to four signings required, a huge week awaits for Ross Wilson. Failure to deliver the tools Jaissle needs and 2026/27 could be an uphill battle from the off, no matter how talented our new crop of young, overseas gems may be.

Next up, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg at St James' Park before we welcome Liverpool to Tyneside in our Premier League opener next Sunday.

Signings needed. Howay the lads!