Newcastle’s striker hunt, Nick Woltemade and unfair criticism

Alexander Isak’s strike in a bid to force a move had backed the Magpies into a corner they were seemingly struggling to get out of – bids for Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike had already failed and Manchester United had managed to win the month-long tug-of-war for Benjamin Sesko.

All of this coupled with the club being seemingly unwilling to stump up the funds to bring in Yoane Wissa, it looked like they faced a genuine possibility of entering the season with Will Osula as their only senior, recognised striker.

However, on the 28th of August, whilst most Newcastle fans were sat watching the Champions League draw, Sky Germany reported that the young German international Nick Woltemade was not only linked with Newcastle, but he was also on his way!

The secretive nature of the transfer took fans by surprised given the public beatings the club had taken all summer. Finally, they had a striker to call their own and two months’ worth of transfer pain were over. When Newcastle finally announced they’d reached an agreement to sign Yoane Wissa on deadline day – it finally felt like they had found adequate, if not more exciting replacements for Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.

That theory hit its first block in the road almost instantly – Wissa was injured on international duty before he even kicked a ball in black and white stripes, leaving the responsibilities of a Newcastle striker to fall solely on the shoulders of Woltemade, a 23 year old who had only ever played in the Bundesliga. Despite this, he made an impressive start to his life on Tyneside. A bullet header against Wolves, a faultless backheel against Brighton and a goal in their first Champions League win had Newcastle fans scratching their heads as to why club ever wasted any time going after anyone else.

But it wasn’t to last, and Nick fell out form. A fruitless few months that culminated in an own goal against bitter rivals Sunderland started to naturally create noise around him. In a period where Newcastle seemingly couldn’t buy a win, any balls flashing across goal that weren’t being pounced upon were met with groans, frustration, anger, and a natural debate on weather he suits this league, Howe’s system, or wether he’s actually good enough at all. I say this has been nothing short of insanity.

In years gone by, Newcastle have made some questionable signings and that’s being kind to them. Players you would watch who not only didn’t even seem like they wanted to try, but ones who looked like they had never kicked a football before. That’s not the case here.

Nick Woltemade is clearly a very talented footballer. His movement at times is exceptional, his work with the ball at his feet can be mesmerising and really intelligent, he’s shown to be capable in the air too. His attitude upon entering a new league has been second to none and he hasn’t let any criticism of him get his head down. All I see is a player in a system he’s quite simply not used to yet.

Howe likes his teams to press; he likes quick attacking football – I do believe Nick has struggled to adjust to that. He isn’t there for his pace, he is a flair player, capable of quick feet, dropping deep and turning games on their head – we just haven’t seen it to the degree we’d like yet.

Howe’s system doesn’t quite call out for a Firminio style false 9 as such, but I think its a role Woltemade would suit perfectly in behind a pacey centre forward (we’ve seen the benefits of this with Gordon in the last few games).

We’ve called out for a player of this ilk at Newcastle for years, and in my view it would be crazy to even give any thought towards moving him on or not maximising his potential. Howe likes project players and for me, Nick has the ability to be his best yet.

I’m not a firm believer in changing systems to accommodate one player, and we absolutely shouldn’t, but a fully firing and in form Nick Woltemade leads to a better footballing side in my opinion. We have chased out players who don’t want to be here before, but that is not the case here – this kid wants to succeed at Newcastle United and we should give him the time to do it.