Signs that Jaissle's Newcastle are not to be written off

It was surely an eventful start, the kind of topsy‑turvy fixture that Keegan became associated with during his spell in charge of Newcastle. The club’s legend and several of his former players—Alan Shearer, Rob Lee and Tino Asprilla—were among those seated in the directors’ box. Supporters’ group Wor Flags unveiled a massive display before kick‑off, covering every section of the stadium, including a timely banner draped over the Gallowgate End. The banner read: “I privation radical to imagination astir their shot club,” it read. “They should. We should each beryllium dreamers astatine heart. ” “Some radical are the other and say, 'We can't bash that'. But erstwhile you inquire them why, they can't springiness a reason. Well, I say, 'Why not?'" Those words remain pertinent. Over the last 12 months Newcastle have lost key figures Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, while head coach Eddie Howe also departed. The club is pursuing further additions, yet every signing secured this summer is aged 24 or younger and has no prior Premier League experience. Because Jaissle has never managed in England’s top flight, some pundits forecast that Newcastle would struggle from the outset. Jaissle himself acknowledged the sceptics who doubted “we can play a good role in the Premier League,” a sentiment echoed by injured captain Dan Burn, who insists the side is at its best when it feels “us against the world.” Newcastle have channeled that mindset, and the atmosphere surrounding Isak’s return only amplified the support against Liverpool. Jaissle summed up the feeling: “If you person this synergy betwixt the fans and past the players delivering connected the pitch, thing peculiar tin beryllium created,” Jaissle said.