Graeme Jones has had a “positive impact” since taking Steve Bruce’s place in the Newcastle United dugout with The Athletic claiming he’s instilling a more forward-thinking style of football at the club.
Turning those ideas into reality, however, may be easier said than done.
It’s not as though Saturday’s performance against Crystal Palace was a dramatic break from what came before after all.
In fact, the 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park was typical of what we’ve come to expect from this Newcastle side since Rafa Benitez’s acrimonious exit in 2018. They were passive, ponderous and indebted, not for the first and probably not for the last time, to the penalty-box brilliance of Callum Wilson.
In south London, Jones’ influence didn’t exactly leap off the page but, then again, perhaps that was to be expected.
Jones, a former Everton, Wigan Athletic and Belgium coach, has had only a handful of days on the training ground to get his message across, although it’s understood he has made a positive impression.
The Athletic claims Jones has attempted to instil a more forward-thinking style of play, at least in contrast to whatever it was Steve Bruce tried to do.
Two years after Bruce was handed the reins by Mike Ashley, we still have no idea whether his Newcastle side were supposed to be pragmatic or proactive, counter-attacking or possession-heavy.
How many games will Graeme Jones get as interim Newcastle manager?
Whether Jones is given the time to build a side in his image, however, remains to be seen.
After being linked with a host of managerial options, from Andre Villas Boas to Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to Matias Almeyda, Amanda Staveley and co appear to have settled on Paulo Fonseca, with the former Roma boss expected to sign a £6 million-a-year contract at St James’ Park (The Mirror).
It isn’t certain at this stage whether Jones would be kept on as part of Fonseca’s coaching staff.
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