Matthias Jaissle: Why my vertical style of play will work at Newcastle

Matthias Jaissle believes his ‘vertical’ style of football will be a success at Newcastle United.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie in a behind-closed-doors chat with the media, the Newcastle head coach explained why he believes his approach can be implemented regardless of the league or conditions.

Jaissle confident his style can work at Newcastle

Jaissle was asked whether his vertical approach can be successful in different leagues and environments, with the German adamant that his style can work anywhere.

This fast-paced play is something we’re still adjusting to, but was evident in both our goals in that opening day draw with Liverpool, and for Anthony Elanga’s goal away to Spurs.

“The style will work anywhere. They questioned it in Saudi Arabia - can you play that style when it is 40 degrees outside?

“Can you play it when players are maybe not at the physical level that you have had before? We showed it is possible.

“Look at Barcelona now, and the way they are flying. I would not say that Hansi Flick is from the Red Bull dynasty, but there are a lot of elements in the way he works that you can see are from there.

“The players there might have been more used to playing in a tiki-taka style, but they have adapted and you can see it is working. I was listening to Rodri, and he was saying a lot about the physicality and the way they train now. It shows that it can be done in every league, in my eyes.”

The boss sees plenty of room for improvement

Jaissle has already spoken about wanting us to become more proactive and dominant with the ball, while maintaining the intensity and verticality that he wants his side to be known for.

The German admits there have been mixed periods during his opening games in charge, but believes there are already clear signs of his ideas starting to take shape.

“I think there were elements in games where we saw a lot of the things we were looking for.

“There were also phases in games where we were not happy and satisfied. So there’s a lot of still a lot of potential that we can improve.”

It’s been a positive yet mixed start to the campaign, but with players coming back from injury and a three week break that we should’ve benefited from on the training ground, it will be interesting to see how we perform away to Coventry a week on Monday.