Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has urged his players to "be brave" after a week of turmoil on Tyneside, as the Magpies prepare to face Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Jaissle's side sit in the bottom half of the table and are looking to avoid a third straight defeat following back-to-back losses against Everton. The head coach has faced criticism after the negative reaction to those results, but the away support chanted his name at Crystal Palace and 2,696 Toon fans are expected to pack out the Putney End, with every ticket sold out.
Jaissle calls for confidence and bravery
Speaking ahead of the trip to London, Jaissle said: "The next game is always the most important. So now, against Fulham, [it's about] getting that confidence back, getting that bravery back to play our style."
"To have a good result then again a good feeling until the next match. I'm looking forward to seeing the right reaction."
"We spoke about Monday, we analysed in detail, we engaged as a group. We have such a good group; we have a good relationship with the players."
"We can really count on our togetherness. Everyone is fully committed."
Focus on regrouping after dressing room leaks
The week has also been marked by dressing room leaks, adding to the narrative of Newcastle's inconsistent early season form. Jaissle acknowledged the need to regroup and improve performances.
"It is on us to go again in the right direction and show better performances. Analyse in detail, speak and then regroup," he said.
"You see players, in their faces, they want to show a reaction. We need to step up in all the things we can influence, use every situation to make the smaller details better."
"I try to not follow things that are written but here and there you get some comments."
"The nice part is that I got even more the feeling from within the club [about] how committed they are and that is something really important in a week where there is speculation or rumours. It was good to know, good to feel but I try not to be distracted."
"I try and focus on the things that I can influence and that is not rumours and speculation."
