Newcastle United squad members reportedly have concerns about how the No.10 position is being utilised this season, with some players left "confused" by the tactics of head coach Matthias Jaissle.
The Magpies have endured a difficult start to the campaign as they prepare for their final match before the November international break. Newcastle travel to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening, looking to secure three points to climb the Premier League table.
United have lost four of their last six matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday Night Football, which has dropped them to 13th place in the standings. That run has increased speculation about Jaissle's future at St James' Park, and there has now been an update on the rumoured stance of the dressing room.
Players Back Jaissle but Question Tactics
According to the Daily Mail, Jaissle retains the support of the Newcastle squad, but concern exists about one department. The report claims some players are "unsure" about the playing style currently used by Jaissle, with one position in particular drawing attention.
It has been claimed that some players have concerns about why Jaissle chooses to use a player in a No.10 position, despite no member of the squad being a specialist in that role. As a result, some members of the dressing room have been left "confused" by what Jaissle is asking them to do, despite the 38-year-old retaining the players' support.
Jaissle on Everton Defeat
After Newcastle were beaten by Everton on Monday night, Jaissle appeared to suggest the players had not carried out the instructions they were given for the fixture.
"Long balls was not the plan," Jaissle said. "It's something we need to work on. We lack confidence; to come out of that, we need to stick together. We need to make a fast learning curve in the right direction."
Jaissle was also asked by Chronicle Live about why William Osula struggled in the defeat at St James' Park. He said: "We could not bring him into situations. We need to jump the first lines with clear balance on how we want to play football. Just playing long balls is for sure not the sign he (Osula) prefers.
"And it was not the plan; that is something you clearly need to mention. This is now the next step to clearly analyse it in-depth, and ask why we could not start the game as we originally planned."
