'It's easy to fracture' - Graeme Jones' verdict on his three-game Newcastle United spell

Newcastle United's stand-in gaffer has reflected on his time in charge at St James' Park

Newcastle United interim coach Graeme Jones insisted he went down to Brighton looking for three points - despite opening up with a defensive formation.

Failure to win on the South Coast means Newcastle are the only one of the 92 Premier League and EFL teams without a win to their name.

But Jones remained positive after watching Isaac Hayden claw a point at the Amex Stadium last night.

After being told to get on with the job as boss, Jones said afterwards: "I’m pleased with the reaction. The plan was to win, we wanted to come here and win, but when you have a marginal decision against you, which we had with the VAR, then you feel sorry for yourself.

"I spoke to the boys at half-time and said nobody’s going to help you – there’s only us who can help ourselves. The response in the second half is the most pleasing aspect of today’s performance."

Jones has also hailed the togetherness within the dressing room after Newcastle parted company with Steve Bruce and appointed the ex-Luton Town boss.

He added: "It’s easy to fracture in situations like this, but we as a group have not allowed it. The boys are together, and whoever comes in will inherit a healthy football club., pulling in the same direction.

"We wanted to win, but you don’t achieve what we’ve achieved today without that. You don’t achieve the response, and the manner of the response, if you’re not together. That’s so pleasing."