---
title: "96 shots expose Newcastle flaw Jaissle must fix"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2026/09/23/newcastle-96-shots-jaissle-defensive-problem/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2026-09-23T06:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-23T06:15:00Z"
---

# 96 shots expose Newcastle flaw Jaissle must fix

Newcastle United went into the international break with a much-needed victory over Hull City, but one statistic should concern Matthias Jaissle.

The Magpies have faced **96 shots across their opening five Premier League matches**.

The figure, reported by The Times, suggests Newcastle’s defensive problems extend beyond the damaging 4-1 defeat at Leeds United. [The Times’ Newcastle v Hull analysis](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/newcastle-united-hull-city-matthias-jaissle-report-z33mqxp8d?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Hull exposed the issue again at St James’ Park.

Newcastle won 2-1 after Joe Willock and Lewis Hall scored inside the opening seven minutes, yet Hull eventually registered **35 touches inside the Newcastle penalty area**. The Magpies managed only 15 at the opposite end.

The result was important.

The manner of it showed Jaissle still has plenty to address.

## Newcastle press is being bypassed too easily

Jaissle wants Newcastle to play aggressively without the ball.

The first line of pressure is designed to force mistakes, regain possession high up the pitch and allow Newcastle to attack before opponents can reset.

The problem arrives when teams escape it.

Newcastle can suddenly leave too much space between midfield and defence. Opponents are then able to carry possession towards the back four before meaningful pressure reaches the ball.

Leeds punished those spaces ruthlessly.

Our [tactical breakdown of Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat at Leeds](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/09/18/leeds-united-vs-newcastle-united-tactical-analysis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) showed how Jaissle’s side lost control of transitional situations and became dragged into the type of direct, physical contest their opponents wanted.

That should have made Hull a useful test of Newcastle’s response.

Jaissle had already [demanded greater hunger before the Hull game](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/09/18/matthias-jaissle-newcastle-united-hull-city-preview/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) after the performance at Elland Road.

Newcastle certainly started with more intensity.

Sustaining control was considerably harder.

## Hull win cannot hide defensive warning

The opening seven minutes were exactly what Jaissle needed.

Willock struck after three minutes before Hall quickly doubled Newcastle’s advantage.

Yoane Wissa then had the opportunity to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot before half-time but failed to convert.

Instead of killing the contest, Newcastle left the door open.

Mohamed-Ali Cho reduced the deficit after the interval and transformed the final stages into a far more uncomfortable afternoon.

As our [Newcastle 2-1 Hull match report](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/09/19/newcastle-united-2-1-hull-city-match-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) detailed, Hull pushed Newcastle backwards after the break and forced Jaissle’s side to protect their advantage.

Newcastle deserve credit for seeing the match out.

But consistently allowing opponents to finish attacks will eventually become costly.

The **96-shot total** is particularly revealing because it now covers five league matches.

One game can produce unusual numbers because of a red card, game state or particularly difficult opponent.

Five games begin to suggest a pattern.

## Jaissle needs more control behind the press

Jaissle does not need to abandon his aggressive approach.

He does need Newcastle to become better when the initial press fails.

The distance between midfield and defence has to remain compact enough to prevent opponents driving freely into dangerous areas.

Players behind the press also need to recognise when to step forward and apply pressure rather than continually retreat towards their own penalty area.

There is a balance to find.

Push too aggressively and Newcastle risk leaving space behind.

Drop too quickly and opponents gain the freedom to advance and shoot.

That is why the international break could be valuable.

Jaissle now has an extended period on the training ground with those players who have remained at Benton before Newcastle return against Coventry City.

The Hull victory stopped the immediate damage caused by the Leeds defeat.

It did not prove the defensive problem had disappeared.

**Ninety-six opposition shots suggest Jaissle’s next challenge is turning Newcastle’s intensity into control.**