Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has clarified that he has not banned his players from playing long balls, following confusion over the team's style of play.
The German coach said his comments after the 1-0 defeat against Everton had been "lost in translation" after he claimed players ignored his requests during the home loss. While fans would prefer a more attractive brand of football, Jaissle has remained committed to the "vertical" style he introduced in August.
Confidence and decision-making
Jaissle believes Newcastle's current issue is a lack of confidence at times, with players opting to lump the ball forward rather than risk losing it. He explained his preference for a long ball when there is a clear risk of losing possession.
"If there is a clear risk for ball loss, then I rather prefer playing a long ball to our striker and protecting that ball and develop the game from there," Jaissle said. "But there also comes a bit of uncertainty then with the decision-making, but it also comes with confidence."
He added: "If you then also have scenarios where you can find easily your team-mate on the ground and we build up from there with our patterns, then you should for sure also prefer that."
Recent form and upcoming fixture
Newcastle signed off before the international break with a 1-1 draw at Fulham, reaching the 12-point mark from 10 games. That is exactly the same points tally they had at the same stage 12 months ago under Eddie Howe.
Jaissle continued: "It's not easy, it's easier said from outside. If the pressure is there, if the confidence is missing a bit, then rather you prefer to be really safe and shooting maybe even more often the long ball rather than finding on the ground a solution, which is maybe combined with a bit more risk."
He said: "I don't know if it's a misinterpretation or a language barrier, but that's an element, the language barrier, when I explained that in the press conference. But it's indeed the fact where we address, because we talked sometimes about the no risk zone, where we had previously critical ball losses leading then to goals."
Newcastle resume Premier League action with a home clash against Arsenal a week tomorrow, as they look for their first home win since September 19.
