Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle has criticised his players for failing to implement his tactical instructions after suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Everton in the Premier League on Monday, November 2.
Jaissle was particularly unhappy with Newcastle’s reliance on long balls and their inability to execute the attacking approach they had prepared during training, admitting that his team lacked the courage to put Everton under pressure.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal in the 49th minute to hand Everton all three points, extending Newcastle’s difficult run of form under their new manager.
Speaking after the match, Jaissle said his players had failed to translate their training-ground performances into the match, despite showing commitment during preparations.
“We had a different approach. It looked so good during the week; I have to say the lads were committed to what we were doing, and today we can just look back and wonder why we couldn’t bring it on the pitch,” he said.
The German coach explained that Newcastle had intended to press Everton high up the pitch, force mistakes and create attacking opportunities through planned combinations rather than repeatedly sending long passes forward.
“We were not brave enough in possession. Too many long balls,” Jaissle added.
He further insisted that the team’s attacking patterns had been designed to create two-versus-one situations and put pressure on Everton’s defensive line but Newcastle failed to execute those plans during the 90 minutes.
“If you can’t deliver when it counts, you don’t deserve to win,” he said.
Everton took advantage of Newcastle’s defensive uncertainty shortly after the restart. A quick free-kick released Tyrique George, whose effort was not properly handled by goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek before Barry reacted quickest to turn the rebound into the net.
Newcastle struggled to respond, with Anthony Elanga coming closest to an equaliser when his effort struck the post in the 66th minute. The hosts also had substitute Jacob Ramsey sent off in the 98th minute after receiving two yellow cards within 86 seconds.
The defeat marked Newcastle’s second loss to Everton in four days after they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 29.
The result leaves Jaissle’s side 13th in the Premier League standings with 11 points from nine matches. Newcastle have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions, increasing pressure on the manager following his appointment in August after Eddie Howe’s departure.
Jaissle acknowledged the frustration among supporters, who booed the team following another disappointing home performance, but accepted responsibility for the result.
“After a performance like that, I can understand that. That’s a reality and I am responsible for that,” he said.
The Newcastle manager also admitted that confidence was becoming an issue within the squad, involving both younger and more experienced players.
“It feels at the moment that there’s not too much confidence. Not only with the young lads but also with the more experienced ones. We have to overcome that as a unit. Only together can we come out of it,” he added.
Newcastle will now turn their attention to their next Premier League fixture against Fulham on Saturday, November 7, as Jaissle looks to address the team’s tactical shortcomings and end their poor run of results.
