Matthias Jaissle has suggested a move to Newcastle United should still sell itself - despite a series of high-profile sales this summer. The German head coach inherited a Toon squad that had said farewell to the likes of Sandro Tonali, who Newcastle face for the first time since his exit this weekend at Spurs, Anthony Gordon who was sold to Barcelona and Bruno Guimaraes who quit the Magpies for Arsenal.
Jaissle on Nico Gonzalez deal
Jaissle sealed a deal for Spain Under-21s star Nico Gonzalez this week from Manchester City with the midfielder admitting he'd never felt so wanted. But Jaissle played down any suggestion that Newcastle are a selling club these days and feels the stature of Newcastle will always attract big names.
Speaking ahead of the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Jaissle said: "I don't need to sell a lot, with that fan base, with that history, this is a special club, like I mentioned already a couple of times, we have a clear idea how we want to play football, we are brave in our approach, how we are targeting the future, so I think all these aspects were influencing him in a positive way, so that he finally was convinced to join us."
Transfer plans and optimism
Jaissle has joked he will be banging on the door of sporting director Ross Wilson relentlessly until the window shuts. And is optimistic he will be able to add at least two more faces to his squad, he said: "It's the first message in the morning, is to push."
"But the sporting director is doing an amazing job and trying everything. We want to be smart. We don't want to panic. So I'm really optimistic things will happen."
Aims for the new campaign
Former captain Bruno left Tyneside because he was concerned about the direction of sporting project and choose to request a move to the Gunners. His argument hinged on the 12th-place finish achieved under Eddie Howe and the departure of a clutch of high-profile teammates.
When asked what the aims were for the new campaign, Jaissle said: "An early question in that season and this stage to answer, I think we are good in the approach that we want to build something, we want to improve among the way we're doing well at the moment for such a short amount of time."
"With the young lads, you need to anticipate also some ups and downs, this is normal, and this is also something we are realistic in, and I'm just looking forward, really much looking forward to that journey."
"The guys seem so much committed in every training session, unfortunately you're not often here to see that, but I'm really, really happy with what I'm seeing there, and therefore it will be something special to build on."
Away trip to Spurs
Jaissle takes his Newcastle side on the road in the Premier League for the first time and is looking to build on the point earned against Liverpool when he faces Roberto De Zerbi's side in the capital. All 3,038 tickets were snapped up in no time by the Geordie fans eager to see their first victory in the top-flight under Jaissle.
Jaissle is keen to reflect the level of passion in the away end on the field against Spurs and said: "From what I have heard, there will still be support although it is different.
"But we want to continue with our development even though we are facing a really strong opponent. But I think with our DNA and our playing style we can cause any opponent problems. I need to be honest and I like playing at home with our fanbase but it is part of the game so we will look to do our job away."
