Football managers need time. New ideas need time to settle, players need time to adapt, and supporters need time to understand what their team is trying to become.

But time alone doesn’t solve everything. Sometimes, a manager needs to recognise what’s not working and have the courage to try something different.

For Matthias Jaissle, that moment is approaching. Newcastle United’s opening performances offered plenty of encouragement, with the displays against Liverpool and Tottenham suggesting something exciting is brewing on Tyneside.

Yet, since the 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth, the Magpies have looked increasingly vulnerable, with defeats to Leeds United and Coventry City raising serious questions.

The numbers make for uncomfortable reading. Newcastle have faced 97 shots in the Premier League this season, more than any other side in the division. Although such statistics might fall under Sean Dyche’s definition of woke football, they cannot simply be brushed aside.

There is no need to throw Jaissle’s concepts in the bin, but some fresh thinking could help. One possibility is Lewis Miley alongside Nico González, with Sean Steur given another opportunity in the middle of the park. Steur struggled after coming on against Leeds, but his earlier performances, particularly against Liverpool, suggest there is a player worth persevering with.

Improvement ahead

Of course, injuries and availability have played their part, and Jaissle will have more options when everyone is fit. Anthony Elanga’s absence has been particularly noticeable after his impressive start, while Tino Livramento’s return would provide a timely boost.

There is also a case for finding a place for Joelinton, whose energy and drive were evident when he came on against Coventry, despite being at fault for Coventry’s third goal.

None of this means Jaissle should be written off. He deserves time to implement his ideas, and without European football, he has that luxury of working on the training ground and finding solutions.

Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United shows how quickly sticking to your principles can become stubbornness. Sometimes a manager has to take a step back and look at things differently.

Just ask Antonio Conte. In his title-winning season with Chelsea, he switched to a back five, a decision that helped spark a remarkable turnaround. Conte didn’t abandon his ideas; he adapted them, and the results followed.

Jaissle has the players to turn things around. Now, it’s about finding the right combination and showing the flexibility to get the best out of them.