Matthias Jaissle speaks out on transfers, Joelinton injury and Leverkusen defeat
After another defeat in pre-season, this time against a strong Bayer Leverkusen side at St James' Park.
Speaking after the match, transfers were a key area of focus in Matthias Jaissle's press conference, alongside the new captain role for Dan Burn, and the fitness of Joelinton.
There were also the expected questions about the defeat to Leverkusen, where he discussed Mason Miley's display and the bizarre kit clash.
Jaissle quotes after Leverkusen defeat
The first worry from fans is transfers, and Jaissle was keen to stress that the club are very aware of our need for new signings.
“Everyone is involved in the club, in the management, and there will be some changes for sure.
"As I mentioned in the press conference previously and also in the interviews, the club knows exactly the needs (regarding new signings).
"This is for sure not the right place to talk about the positions and for sure not about names.”
The boss then revealed that Joelinton will be "missing a couple of weeks" through an unspecified injury, hinting that his absence will only add to the lack of experience in the current squad.
“You need experience in the current squad. Now with Joelinton, a player who's unfortunately injured, so he will be missing a couple of weeks as it looks right now.
"This (lack of experience) is something we need to solve as soon as possible. He will miss for sure the first weeks, but all details will be followed.”
Jaissle admitted this coming season will be a “huge challenge.” He added ”We know the reality and we do the best out of the reality.”
Transfers were not the only players he spoke about; he was also asked about his own squad, where he praised Mason Miley's display at right-back.
“Mason’s a young lad with the attitude we need; he has the right heart and the right quality.”
On leadership, despite Malick Thiaw captaining the team twice, it was announced that Burn would take on the role.
“Dan is a natural leader and a perfect fit for the role of Newcastle United captain. He puts the interests of the team ahead of his own every time he steps onto the pitch."
Jaissle also commented on the bizarre change of shirts at the first break. Fans in the stadium and watching online noticed the issue right away, and Jaissle was equally surprised to see such a clash.
"I was a bit surprised when they came out for kick-off. [The change] was done because [the shirt colour] were so close to each other, so it was smart to use the first hydration break to change it.
"Probably from the stands, from your perspective, it was not easy to distinguish between the two teams."
Another pre-season defeat
Watching Jaissle’s post-game pressers, it’s very clear that he isn’t a huge fan of talking to the press after a friendly.
It was also clear that Jaissle probably would not be playing back-to-back friendlies on the same weekend, which has become a theme at St James' Park in recent seasons.
We already know that Amar Dedić is now all but done, with the player flying to Newcastle for a medical in the next 24 hours. But more work needs to be done.
Jaissle may be asked similar things in today's post-match presser, so let's see if he buckles if journalists bring up the proposed move for Dedic or rumoured Joao Palhinha talks.
