Newcastle United vice-captain Joelinton insists Matthias Jaissle's tactical set-up is not dissimilar to Eddie Howe's despite growing discontent over the team's performances.
The Magpies fell to a second successive Premier League defeat on Saturday evening as a goal from Johan Manzambi, who Newcastle tried to sign in the summer, proved to be the difference as Aston Villa ran out 1-0 winners at St James' Park. It followed a dismal 4-1 defeat to Coventry City on Monday evening, and serious questions are being raised about the manager's setup and whether it is getting the best out of his players.
Defensive woes and lack of chances
Newcastle's defensive numbers are among the worst in the Premier League, and Saturday's defeat saw them muster just one shot on target, which came from centre-half Sven Botman after a set-piece. It led to boos from the terraces at full-time, and while Joelinton acknowledged those numbers have to improve, he felt they took a step forward from Monday night.
"Difficult night," Joelinton told Chronicle Live. "Disappointing result. We wanted so bad to win in front of our fans. It's difficult when you lose at home. We did a step forward in relation to the last game, but still it's not enough and we know there's things for us to improve.
"It's always room for improvement and we know that. We know that we have to be tough, defend better as a team, everyone, and we know we have to be better in front of goal. We have to create more chances, we have to finish the attacks. It's good we have one week to work on that and the boys know what we need to do."
Midfield setup and comparison to Howe
Joelinton made his first start of the season as he partnered Nico Gonzalez at the base of midfield in Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 system. Gonzalez has often looked exposed this season, with the set-up often looking more like a 4-1-5 or a 4-1-4-1, and the lack of control in midfield has become a big issue.
It has led to questions being raised about the manager's philosophy and suggestions of returning to the 4-3-3 that was the tried and trusted method of Jaissle's predecessor, Howe. But Joelinton insists Jaissle's setup is similar to Howe's, even if it is not always obvious on the eye.
"I don't think it's different [to] the way we played with Eddie," Joelinton countered. "Today we played sometimes with Nico dropping in a back three, but when he was forward, we play a 4-3-3. It's just when we defend, we go to a 4-4-2.
"You have to ask the manager. He's talked a lot about his principles and the way he wants to play, and that's most important, it's not just the formation. The message is similar to the Coventry game. We have to defend better and be better in the forward area. We know where we need to improve, and I hope we can do this and have a better game next week."
Jaissle's reaction and Burn's late role
Jaissle's grimace on the touchline at full-time spoke volumes, and it is clear the reality of Newcastle's rebuild this season has well and truly dawned on the 38-year-old. The former Al-Ahli and RB Salzburg boss will have to find the solutions to turn things around before the situation unravels quickly, but Joelinton insists he is a 'winner' and the players share his 'disappointment'.
"Well, of course he's like everyone, disappointed," Joelinton added. "He wants to win, he's a winner. We did better than last time. Last time was not enough. We did a step forward in terms of the way we play. But yes, it's still room for improvement. We need to work hard to, be better and we will do that."
In a last desperate attempt to find an equaliser against Villa, Jaissle threw defender Dan Burn up front to try and unsettle the Villa defence, but it ultimately didn't pay off. It was probably Newcastle's best option of trying to get something from the game in Jaissle's defence, which is a view Joelinton shares, too, but that also speaks volumes of Newcastle's situation when you consider they have spent £175million trying to replace Alexander Isak.
"I was just hoping he'd score," Joelinton explained. "As it's the end of the game, you know, you go for the goal and Dan's a big guy who can win the long balls, and that's what we were trying at that moment, to play long balls and see if we could get something."
