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Matthias Jaissle certainly looks the part and speaks the part as Newcastle United manager, but not even he will deny that the results are yet to back that up.
Monday's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Coventry City was the most alarming result yet. The newly-promoted side out-thought and outfought the Magpies, leaving Jaissle with a humbling feeling for the second time this season.
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The most concerning aspect of the defeat against Frank Lampard's men is how it mirrored defeat at Leeds United earlier this season. It was then that Daniel Farke's men shoved the Magpies to one side and left Jaissle wondering what to expect from his side.
A 2-1 victory over Hull City followed and the new manager allowed himself a sigh of relief before the international break arrived. The three-week break should have allowed the German to settle his ideology after such a hectic summer. After humiliation against Coventry, however, something has to change.
It starts with personnel and perhaps an internal admission that Jacob Murphy should have been moved on in the summer when Everton reportedly came calling.
The 31-year-old lasted just 59 minutes and to say that he failed to make his mark in that time would be an incredible understatement. With just 29 touches, Murphy completed just one take-on and was guilty of missing one big chance.
It follows a worrying trend. The experienced wide man is yet to score or assist this season, but that comes as no surprise when taking a deeper dive into his underlying numbers.
If Jaissle wants to get the best out of his frontline, then he must start by dropping his most experienced man. Murphy is lacking directness in possession. He represents a safe option that does not match up to Jaissle's vision of high intensity.
Newcastle must now start "excellent" attacker
A lot was made of Newcastle's summer transfer window. The Magpies were ripped apart, with stars like Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon moving on before manager Eddie Howe joined them.
Recruitment wasn't easy, either. Newcastle missed out on top targets, before landing on Sean Steur, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Bazoumana Toure and others. There was a clear shift of idea away from today's stars and a focus on the future.
So far, that change in ideology has created mixed results. Steur has shown plenty of signs of his quality, but Fernandez-Pardo is struggling to adapt. Meanwhile, Toure is yet to get a real chance. That must change.
After Murphy's struggle against Coventry, Jaissle has to take advantage of Newcastle's £42m investment and finally hand Toure a permanent starting place in the Premier League.
Toure is not the finished product, but that's not necessarily what Newcastle need right now. They need his speed, his bravery and his directness in possession - everything that Murphy is currently failing to offer.
Only seven players completed more take-ons than the 20-year-old in the Bundesliga last season (47), and he has since shown glimpses of that at St James' Park.
What's more, there's an intent to his play. In 45 minutes against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, Toure ended his day with an assist and took four touches in the opposition's box.
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Not only will Jaissle's job security benefit if the summer signing earns a starting place, but Yoane Wissa may finally find some goals.
The former Brentford man has been starved in front of goal at times and has even found himself in the No.10 role behind Fernandez-Pardo in recent games.
With Toure alongside him, that experience must change. Wissa should be back leading the line, allowing the 20-year-old's directness to create the chances that he so desperately needs. That could finally create consistency for Jaissle and Newcastle.
Matthias Jaissle
Matthias Jaissle