Matthias Jaissle's 5-word reply when asked if fans trust process as PIF watch on

Speaking with PIF official Jacobo Solis in the room, Jaissle put on the polished type of speaking display that would have landed him back in August, this was a far cry from some of Eddie Howe's Press conferences last season when under fire or the fight fire with fire Steve Bruce media briefings pre-takeover.

It's not unusual for PIF to be on site, but to feature in a Press conference is something a little different, even if it was in full support of the man Newcastle handed a five-year deal to this year.

The German head coach is just 80 days into the project on Tyneside and heads to Crystal Palace this weekend with some supporters questioning his tactics and philosophy. For all that, Newcastle could climb into a European qualification position if they beat the Eagles this weekend, and Jaissle issued something of a rallying call after losing back-to-back games against Coventry City and Aston Villa.

When asked about fans "trusting the process", Jaissle told Chronicle Live coolly: "That is always really important."

Jaissle is trying to implement "vertical football" at Newcastle as a graduate from the Red Bull school of thought after a stint with RB Salzburg. The multi-club model operates across its portfollio with a high-pressing tactical system focused on winning the ball back quickly after losing it.

But Jaissle's methods have not had full approval from supporters after they saw just one shot on target against Aston Villa last Saturday night. When asked to expand on his process, Jaissle insisted that he can't put a timeframe on things despite the club's aim of bettering last season's 12th place finish last season.

Jaissle said: "It's not done by giving you an exact date or an exact percentage of where the gap is. It's about believing in the progress.

"I think now, even though there were two defeats, you could see phases where we improved already."

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Newcastle's squad has a healthier look to it as they head to South London on Sunday with Dan Burn, Anthony Elanga, William Osula and Amar Dedic all back, and Jacob Ramsey is not far away. Jaissle stressed the importance of adding that layer of experience to a young squad still feeling their way through the project.

Jaissle said: "Another important element is that the injured players are back and mature leaders are back. Especially for a young team, this is really helpful.

"That gives you more stability, especially when you miss so many leaders from the transfers we made in the summer.

"That's a vacuum you need to refill, and it's now important that the lads who are coming back — the mature, experienced players — can refill that."

With media duties fulfilled, PIF left the room and Jaissle was allowed to get on with preparations for Sunday. It's a big game at the weekend but certainly winnable for the ex-Salzburg boss who is far from deterred after a couple of bumps in the road.

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