MURRAYFIELD – It’s safe to say Newcastle United 2.0 remains a work in progress.
The word on the ground is that new boss Matthias Jaissle has made a strong start at St James’ Park. Behind the scenes the work has been sharp, the sessions – the ones he’s been able to fit in between games – are fresh and intense.
He has projected confidence without over-promising and has had a word and a handshake with everyone at the club, from the door man to the director of football. “A people person” is how one source describes him.
But even a manager that Newcastle believe will become one of the continent’s elite head coaches in time can only do so much with a squad that feels short of the quality required to hit the club’s goal of returning to European competition this term.
Fans have been prepared to buy into the Jaissle revolution but he needs help. A comprehensive 3-1 defeat at Murrayfield to a battle-hardened Everton – albeit with the usual pre-season caveats – was chastening. Incomings are needed as soon as possible.
“You’re smart enough to see the needs in the squad. We handle these things internally. We are aware of what we need,” Jaissle said afterwards. It was direct and dumped responsibility at Ross Wilson’s door for the reinforcements the club desperately need.
There is little disagreement internally. One insider admitted there was a need to “massively improve” in certain areas and that is no understatement.
Two full-backs, a Bruno Guimaraes replacement and a forward capable of putting the pressure on Yoane Wissa and Will Osula seem like the minimum they need. The expectation is at least three will join. A fourth is not necessarily guaranteed.
There are 19 days until the transfer deadline and 10 days until Liverpool arrive for the Premier League opener. That does not feel like much time although Wilson, the club’s influential sporting director, projects calm.
They are working on “multiple” deals for an experienced holding midfielder – much-needed for “Jaissleball” to click – and a right-back.
The word is a breakthrough on at least one is close and news could coincide with the weekend double-header against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg. “Could be,” was Jaissle’s cryptic answer when asked if anything was imminent.
Benfica’s Amar Dedic – another potential recruit without a minute of Premier League experience – is among those being considered.
There is clearly money to spend – £150m of headroom, even with Uefa’s suffocating financial rules taken into account – but Newcastle sources talk of being “strategic” and “measured”.
Good clubs do not panic in the transfer market, we are told. Jaissle’s appointment – and quick-fire assessment of the squad – has held up business a bit.
That is all well and good. But Newcastle now need to do business to show they mean business.
That much was clear in the Scottish capital, where a strong start did not hide a few nagging concerns. Chief among them is the form of Sven Botman, an influential player earmarked for a big role this season under Jaissle.
It was his mistake that allowed Iliman Ndiaye to race clear in the run-up to Everton’s first goal – not the first time he has been found wanting in Newcastle’s pre-season campaign.
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Pre-season form can be a mirage but Botman is coming off some serious injuries.
The other big anxiety is where the goals are coming from. The departure of Gordon and Guimaraes has shaved a lot of last season’s firepower from this squad and while Wissa looks sharp, he still missed chances in a first-half purple patch.
Osula can blow hot and cold, while Nick Woltemade, a second-half substitute, was fairly anonymous.
On the plus side, Bazoumana Toure appears to be a real find and along with Sean Steur and Lukas Hornicek looks ready to start against Liverpool. Newcastle evidently need a few more in their ilk.