Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle is convinced £51 million signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo will soon score his first goal for the club. The 21-year-old Belgian forward has yet to find the net since his deadline-day move from Lille, missing chances in the recent 4-1 defeat to Coventry City.

Jaissle told reporters on Tuesday that he has seen the player's quality in training and believes a goal is the final piece needed. "He’s an amazing player and he has so much potential," Jaissle said. "We are convinced that it’s just a matter of time." The manager observed Fernandez-Pardo finishing well in practice and creating opportunities, but noted that confidence in front of goal is the missing ingredient.

Adaptation and patience

Jaissle urged patience for the young forward and other new arrivals, acknowledging the steep learning curve of the Premier League. "Young lads coming into the Premier League for the first time need adaptation time," he said. The German boss recommended allowing at least half a season for players to fully adjust to the demands of English football. He added that while Newcastle have a young squad, they must learn quickly from recent setbacks.

The 4-1 loss at Coventry was the team's second heavy defeat in three games, following a 4-1 reverse at Leeds United last month. Those results have left Newcastle 11th in the Premier League table with eight points from six matches. Jaissle attributed the losses to individual mistakes rather than systemic tactical flaws, stating it was difficult to discuss structure after conceding four goals.

Fernandez-Pardo has been deployed as a central striker since his arrival, despite some suggestions his skills might be better suited to a wider role. The club's next opportunity to turn things around comes quickly, with a home match against 16th-placed Aston Villa on Saturday. Newcastle will be hoping for a repeat of their last meeting with Villa, a 3-1 away win in February.

Several players remain unavailable for selection, including Anthony Elanga and Valentino Livramento, whose absences are noted on the club's injuries page. The focus now shifts to preparation for the Villa game, where Fernandez-Pardo will be aiming to open his account and help his team climb from mid-table.

The original report is at Straits Times Sport