DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa has urged his Newcastle United teammates to remain united and maintain a positive attitude as the club attempts to overcome a difficult period in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old, who has been given a place in Newcastle’s Player Leadership Group by manager Matthias Jaissle, believes the squad has the quality to turn its fortunes around but insists collective determination will be crucial.
Newcastle have won only two of their last seven league matches, losing five, after beginning the campaign with an unbeaten run of five games.
Their latest disappointment came on Monday when they suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Everton, prompting supporters to boo the players at the final whistle.
Wissa, who joined Newcastle from Brentford for £55m last summer, wants to use his new position within the dressing room to help restore confidence and improve the atmosphere around the team.
Speaking in the club’s official matchday programme, the forward said he understood the responsibility placed on him and was determined to contribute beyond his performances on the pitch.
“It’s a new role for me and I know the Head Coach has trust in me to bring energy and positivity, and of course most importantly, try to score goals and help the team win games.”
• Wissa given greater responsibility at Newcastle
Wissa’s appointment to the five-man Player Leadership Group represents an important development in his role at St James’ Park.
The group, selected by Jaissle ahead of the season, also includes Dan Burn, Joelinton, Malick Thiaw and Lewis Miley.
The Congolese international is expected to help provide leadership within a squad that has experienced difficulties maintaining consistent performances.
His own performances have also been mixed since arriving in the north-east.
After joining from Brentford in a £55m transfer last summer, Wissa endured a challenging first season as he attempted to establish himself at Newcastle.
He began the new campaign more positively, impressing against Liverpool on the opening day before scoring in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham.
However, that remains his only league goal of the campaign.
The striker also missed a penalty during Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Hull City in September, with his opportunities subsequently becoming more limited.
Joe Willock and Will Osula have both been preferred to him in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
Despite his reduced involvement on the pitch, Jaissle’s decision to include him in the leadership group suggests the manager continues to value his influence within the squad.
Newcastle searching for a response after disappointing results
The club’s recent league performances have increased the importance of restoring confidence among the players.
Having avoided defeat in their opening five Premier League matches, Newcastle have struggled to maintain that level, collecting just two victories from their subsequent seven games.
Five defeats during that period have raised concerns about the team’s consistency.
The home loss against Everton was particularly disappointing, with the reaction from supporters at the final whistle reflecting their frustration with the team’s performance.
Wissa believes the players must respond by concentrating on their collective strengths rather than allowing difficult results to affect their confidence.
He has also identified the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere, particularly given the relatively young age of the squad.
