Newcastle United interim boss Graeme Jones apparently kept repeating the word ‘standards’ in his first team meeting after Steve Bruce departed, the Athletic report.
Unbeaten start
Jones took temporary charge of Newcastle for the very first time at the weekend, as he led his side to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
And it is claimed that right from his first meeting, Jones was keen to lift the Magpies players’ performances.
He apparently kept saying the word ‘standards’ in his first team meeting, as he wanted each individual to take more responsibility for their own performances.
Jones’ words are said to have brought everyone together, with the players now fighting to keep the club in the Premier League.
Back to basics
It was noticeable that Jones’s approach in his early weeks was arguably more basic than Steve Bruce’s.
Bruce had tried to get Newcastle playing on the front foot this season, but that had made them far too open at the back.
Jones, on the other hand, set his side up in a compact structure and while they did not have much of the ball against Palace, they did prove hard to break down.
As a result Newcastle walked away with a point, which could prove precious at the end of the campaign.
It is not yet clear just how long Jones will remain in temporary charge for, but Newcastle still haven’t found Bruce’s replacement yet.
The Magpies have been linked with a number of candidates, but are yet to definitively settle on one, with their managerial search still ongoing.
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