Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa (Image: John Walton)
Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa (Image: John Walton)
YOANE Wissa has hailed Matthias Jaissle as the best signing Newcastle United have made this summer.
And Wissa admits he prepared for this season knowing he had to "step up" after his difficult first year on Tyneside.
He's certainly doing that so far. The forward followed up a Man of the Match display against Liverpool with another fine showing at Tottenham and grabbed the second goal in a deserved 2-0 win.
Wissa endured a nightmare first campaign at Newcastle after his move from Brentford last summer, with his debut delayed by a knee injury and the forward then playing catch-up fitness wise when he did return.
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But after a good World Cup, Wissa returned to the North East desperate to make his mark this term, especially after a summer of change on Tyneside.
"I am very happy, to be part of the team and part of the club," the striker said after Saturday evening's success.
"The fans love their club and love the players and what they want is us to give them what we have. They never stopped singing or shouting so that is for them today.
"Of course we lost so many players but the club worked well. It is challenging and we need players to step up, like me for instance.
"I didn't play last year and now I have a chance to play. So many players have to step up and enjoy the challenge and with the fans behind us nobody can stop us.
"I am not injured and I feel confident now. I trust myself and I trust the manager and even though I didn't play last year I have trained a lot with the players and they know my movements."
Wissa says he's grateful for the support of former boss Eddie Howe but has been hugely impressed by Jaissle, with work on the training ground paying off.
"Eddie Howe did a top job and the new manager came with a new identity and that [first goal] is something we have been working on," he said.
"Every part of the game we are really precise. He is a really dynamic manager, so we have to give everything and I think he is the best signing of Newcastle so far."