Arabic version: نيوكاسل يواجه اختباراً بعد الهزيمة أمام ليدز

According to BBC News, Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle expects a reaction from his players after Monday’s 4-1 defeat away to Leeds United. Jaissle said there was “all clarity in the room that the learning curve needs to be really fast” following the loss at Elland Road.

Newcastle had begun the campaign with a five-game unbeaten run, though the club recognised that the season would be a work in progress after a summer of major change. The side has moved from having one of the Premier League’s most experienced starting line-ups last season to the second-youngest this term.

Jaissle, appointed three weeks before the season began after Eddie Howe stepped down, said his side must improve in duels, aggression and the battle for second balls when they face in-form Hull City on Saturday. “If you’re tougher in the duels, if you’re more aggressive, if you’re more sharp and hungry to collect the second balls, then it will be automatically a huge step already,” he said.

The Leeds defeat exposed issues at both ends. Newcastle have faced 76 shots in the opening weeks of the league season, more than any other top-flight team, while averaging little more than three efforts on target per match. They lost 56% of their duels in the first half at Elland Road, where Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice.

Injuries to Dan Burn, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and William Osula have added to Jaissle’s early challenges, while midfielder Nico Gonzalez left against Leeds with concussion in the 19th minute. Former Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic said Jaissle generally analyses defeats and makes adjustments without drastic changes, describing the Newcastle coach as still figuring out which players fit his system.