Newcastle United midfielder Jacob Ramsey has revealed he has been playing as a No 10 in training, giving head coach Matthias Jaissle the green light to deploy him in a new position. Ramsey came off the bench in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth and swept home the equalising goal as the Magpies maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
He came on as a midfielder but had been training as a No 10 during the week. With Will Osula out injured, the former Aston Villa man could give Jaissle another attacking option alongside Yoane Wissa, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Joe Willock.
Ramsey on his training role
"Funnily enough, this week in training, I've been playing at the No 10," Ramsey told Chronicle Live. "I thought I trained really well this week. Obviously, today I came on a little bit deeper, but I think I'm just comfortable on the ball, whether that's deeper or whether that's in the 10. At Villa, I was playing off the left, but in the left-10 position."
"I don't mind really. Obviously, I want to be scoring goals, setting up Wissa, Osula, all the boys. But today [Saturday], the amount of time to come on at the No 6, I thought I did well."
Competition for places heats up
Ramsey replaced Lewis Miley midway through the second half and, alongside Sean Steur, provided more control in midfield than Miley and Nico Gonzalez had offered in the first half. The 25-year-old admitted it was nice to send a reminder of his abilities as competition for places intensifies following the summer departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
"Obviously, coming on, it's probably a little bit easier than starting the game," he admitted. "Coming on right in the 65th minute, the Bournemouth lads are probably a little bit tired. There's probably a little bit more space. I actually thought Miley and Nico played well today. When me and Sean came on, we probably controlled the game a little bit more."
"I thought the two lads from the start played well as well. I think football can change so quick. Obviously, I was disappointed not to start in any of the Premier League games, but I've got a big self-belief in my ability. I'm a confident lad. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to prove that I can play here."
Stepping up after key exits
"If you're looking from the outside, two big players leaving in my position, it's time for me to step up now. When I come to Newcastle, I want to play week in, week out. Obviously, I haven't done that so far, but football can change so quick. It's only the third game, so I'm looking forward to it."
Newcastle's comeback in the draw against Bournemouth answered questions over whether the squad have enough experience to ride out tough moments under Jaissle.
"I think this time last season we probably lost that game," Ramsey added. "I think there's been so many games last season where we conceded late goals, so that's a big improvement."
"Obviously, the first half probably wasn't where we've shown it in the previous two games, but that's just part of football. I thought in the second half that we started really well. Great finish by Barnesy in the first half, but another game unbeaten."
"I don't want to get too carried away after the third game, but I think since pre-season some of the boys have stepped up. Obviously, we're missing two big players in terms of leadership and character in Burny and Big Joe, but yes, some of the lads are stepping up."
"I think if you look at the manager on the touchline, he's full of energy, full of positivity, and that just reflects onto the players, especially with these type of fans that we have here at St James' – their energy is electric."
"We're three games in, but the energy and the style of play that he wants to play suits this football club, especially when we're playing at home with the fans and stuff. Obviously, it's a new voice. Some of the lads have been here for quite a while. Eddie was here for five years and done a really big job. Sometimes it's good to have a fresh voice, a fresh start for everyone."
