Joelinton has apologised to Newcastle United supporters after the team's heavy defeat at Coventry City, admitting the dressing room feels the pain of the result. The Brazil international made his comeback from a two-month layoff as a substitute but could not prevent a second consecutive 4-1 away loss.
Second-half collapse at Coventry
Newcastle conceded four goals in the second half at the CBS Arena, handing Coventry their first Premier League home win in 25 years. Sven Botman's wonder goal briefly gave the 3,030 travelling fans hope, but a late collapse sparked angry scenes in the away end as players approached the supporters.
Joelinton told reporters: "I'm sorry for them (the fans). We feel the result as well. We didn't want to lose. It's tough for them, it's tough for us as well, but we stay together. I know they will back us on Saturday at home. Just give more time for everyone."
Dressing room frustration
The midfielder added: "Everyone's trying their best to win. We didn't want to lose, but it's happened, and now it's time to keep our heads down and work hard." He summed up the mood in the squad: "Yes, it's not easy. The boys are frustrated. It's a difficult night for us, a difficult game. It's a heavy defeat, like you say, but now we have to move on."
Joelinton's return was compounded by a yellow card after he tried to respond to a Lewis Hall mistake, but Ellis Simms swept home the goal that put the game beyond United's reach.
Manager's assessment
Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle reflected: "There's something we need to look at for sure. We need to win these games in the boxes. Defensively we need to improve. On the offensive we need to be more sharp. The lads as well in the dressing room, it's a feeling you don't want to have when you feel as though you should have won. We can only apologise to the fans that took the journey."
Newcastle now sit 11th on eight points from six games after their second 4-1 defeat in a row on the road. A win at Coventry would have put them in the top four. They face Aston Villa on Saturday night at St James' Park.
