Newcastle United midfielder Nico Gonzalez has revealed that head coach Matthias Jaissle told him he aims to please fans with his playing style this season. The Spanish midfielder has settled quickly into the team's pattern of play, which offers a refreshed version of the intense game plan Eddie Howe used to reach the Champions League.
Gonzalez, who will be back in the squad for Monday's away game against Coventry City, is enjoying life on Tyneside and gave supporters an insight into what Jaissle has pledged on tactics.
Jaissle's tactical demands
Gonzalez said: "He wants direct football, intense. When we lose it, he wants us to steal the ball in high position. That is the main idea. He wants football that fans and players can enjoy."
"We have had a good start, and it has been exciting. We still have a lot to improve, the manager has only been here a few weeks. I think it is exciting that we have been in a really difficult situation and now we are improving every week."
Recovery and debut impact
Gonzalez has made a full recovery from the head injury that kept him out of the 2-1 win over Hull City before the international break. The £50m man missed that game because of concussion protocols after his withdrawal in the first half at Leeds.
Fans will be keen to see Gonzalez replicate what he showed on his debut away to Spurs, days after his big-money move from Manchester City. The player believes being more settled off the pitch with his family will help him too.
Reflecting on the 2-0 win over Spurs, Gonzalez told NUFC TV: "It was an intense first month, let's say. I arrived two days before Tottenham, everything was amazing, I trained for two days, then won an amazing match. Then I was in the hotel for one month and not with my family. Now I am here with my family."
Upcoming challenge at Coventry
Newcastle now face newly promoted Coventry City on Monday. It will be consecutive games against newly promoted sides for the Magpies, and while Gonzalez missed the win over Hull, he expects another tricky encounter.
The former Barcelona youngster said: "I tell people in Spain what the Premier League is like. One week you could play a team at the top and the next against a newly promoted side and it's just as tough. I wish all leagues were the same as this really."
