Alan Shearer gives very honest assessment on Nick Woltemade conundrum

Alan Shearer has been talking about Nick Woltemade.

This follows the last two Premier League matches, defeats to Manchester City and Everton.

Alan Shearer speaking after Saturday’s 3-2 loss at St James’ Park: “First of all, I thought Newcastle were a bit of a mess today, particularly in the first half.”

The Newcastle United legend giving his analysis on Match of The Day.

Referring to the collective stats from the Man City and Everton PL matches, Alan Shearer declaring: “When you look at the stats from [Nick] Woltemade, it is nowhere near good enough. I know that part of that he has been in midfield, but part of it again was up front today. No goals, no assists, no shots, no touches of the ball] in the opposition box. And 14 touches [of the ball in total] today.”

We all know the saga of the summer and how damaging it was.

Alexander Isak going on strike and the Newcastle United owners totally failing to deal with the situation. In the end the NUFC owners selling Isak on transfer deadline day and he (Alexander Isak) and Callum Wilson not replaced until weeks into the season so Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade having zero pre-season with their new teammates.

Which brings us to now.

A long-term injury blighting Wissa from the start and now struggling to get and stay fully fit, leaving Eddie Howe with a huge headache on how best to give Newcastle United the attacking threat they need.

Nick Woltemade used in midfield, as a second striker, on Saturday but after such a poor opening from the team, Eddie Howe changed to Big Nick up top, Anthony Gordon out wide left, Joelinton into midfield.

By that time though Everton were in the lead.

Alan Shearer addressing this Nick Woltemade Newcastle United conundrum: “It is not all his fault, because others have to improve as well, others have to step up. But there is no doubt that it is a conundrum for Eddie Howe, as where and how he actually gets the best out of him. I think there is a player in there, but there’s a player that is really really struggling.”

Newcastle 2 Everton 3 – Saturday 28 February 2026 3pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Ramsey 32, Jacob Murphy 82

Everton:

Branthwaite 19, Beto 34, Barry 83

Possession was Newcastle 66% Everton 34%

Total shots were Newcastle 17 Everton 9

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Everton 5

Corners were Newcastle 7 Everton 2

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 33 Everton 12

Newcastle team v Everton:

Pope, Trippier (Wissa 75), Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Ramsey (Willock 46), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 56), Gordon (Osula 86), Woltemade (Barnes 56)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Botman, Shahar, Alex Murphy