PIF chief Jacobo Solis joined reporters in watching Jaissle's latest press briefing

As the Newcastle United press pack convened for their weekly pre-match press briefing from head coach Matthias Jaissle, one notable figure made an understated entrance at the Newcastle United media centre.

Jacobo Solis, head of International direct investments for the Saudi Public Investment Fund, took his seat at the back of the press conference room before Jaissle arrived to deliver his pre-match thoughts ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace.

Solis, who was appointed to Newcastle's board of directors last year, was last seen watching one of Jaissle's first training sessions in La Manga during the Magpies' pre-season tour and he was one of a club delegation who spoke to reporters ahead of the new season.

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So to see him on Tyneside off the back of a tough week for Newcastle's head coach made for an interesting subplot ahead of what was already set to be a mood-setting press conference.

The good faith from Jaissle's start to the season made way to concerns rising to the surface after the underlying statistics surrounding the amount of chances Newcastle concede, the ease at which teams play through them, and their alarming defensive numbers, came home to roost in the 4-1 defeat to Coventry City and the 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa.

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Chronicle Live understands it has been a united front on the training ground this week, with Jaissle, his staff, his players and the club's decision makers all remaining in alignment with his vision, despite criticism this week over his system and his tactical approach.

Solis' presence on Tyneside only underlined that and PIF will want to see that, in Jaissle, they have hired a head coach who can deal with the emotions and scrutiny that come with managing a team like Newcastle United in the Premier League.

"That's the good part, that they're aligned with us in the coaching team," Jaissle said when asked if he had consulted the players. "I mentioned that before, we're sitting all in the same boat, we're transparent, that's my leadership style. Not only talking, I think leadership is also me listening.

"Out of the door, if we go there together as a team, or stepping on the pitch, we need to be committed and we need to be aligned, going in the same direction, and that's the case. That's something I'm proud of, to see that commitment, to see that hard-working ethic during the training sessions and during the week. These are all elements which leads, hopefully, to success.

"We have for sure a lot of potential still. I don't want to name now a percentage, but there's still quite a good gap to to be refilled. It's still part, and this is something I just mentioned also a couple of days ago within the club to some decision-makers, that sometimes we still feel in the pre-season when we train with the group. Now, finally, with almost every player on the pitch, that was not possible in the past weeks."

Away from the pitch, Jaissle's answers in press conferences are becoming more considered and engaging with each passing week and it is clear he is growing in front of the microphone in a press environment that far outweighs anything he was used to with RB Salzburg and Al Ahli, all while doing so in a foreign language.

Newcastle fans would have wanted to see a passionate response to the disappointment of last week and a manager relishing the up and down nature this season promises to bring. And in front of the watching PIF chief, that is what he delivered.

"I already had expectations it would be a tough one purely related to the fact we joined really late and we are on a brave journey," Jaissle replied when asked if the job had been more challenging than he first anticipated.

"We are going to have setbacks. This is something you have to calculate. Of course, we hoped it would go smoothly and I am always on the optimistic side when I take a new challenge but we have to face the reality.

"We had a great start, everything was driving in the right direction and now we have a setback. But that makes you stronger, it makes the players stronger. It makes you stronger in life when you overcome setbacks.

"I said in La Manga in the pre-season that we must always try to be emotionally balanced. That’s important when you have a lot emotion outside, surrounding you, when you have a lot of ups and downs circumstances, it’s like a ride… this is special and it what makes this club special with the fans. We should take that in a positive way and appreciate our fans."

But the proof, as always, will be in Jaissle's results and the first test of how they have responded to a bruising week will come at Crystal Palace.

Newcastle have lost both of their last two away games 4-1 and ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park, before a Carabao Cup trip to Everton on Thursday, too, he knows he cannot allow the away results to become a psychological barrier.

"First of all the chance is, usually, if you play better, if you perform better, it leads to a better result. This is the first step," Jaissle told Chronicle Live.

"Of course, there are elements within that game where you need to be smart and where the end goal is higher prioritised and that means winning. We talked about once already using certain spaces on the pitch to be clinical.

"There are elements for sure, even if you have the ball, you can talk about the no risk zone, you need to be clinical, you need to clean the situations, rather than finding smart solutions on the ground and then the opposite side you need to be clinical.

"When there is a possible shot you need to take that possibility, and that opportunity to score, so these things are clear and the players are smart enough.

"So, of course, we have a young squad and heavy defeats doesn't help for the optimism, for the confidence but we are here to support and we need to give them the optimism back. Also the mentality back to believe. Just pure belief on what they are doing and then they become stronger for sure."

And the return of Dan Burn and Joelinton, his captain and vice-captain, should help in that regard.

"That helps," Jaissle finished. "And when I am talking to colleagues of mine in this league they also rely on leaders on the pitch. Extended arms who can deliver the match plan on to the pitch.

"Of course, Dan is missing a lot. Like a couple of others as well. When we get them back and when we get them fit back. I imagine it takes still at least a couple of weeks to have them solid and on their best level, then it will get better."