Alan Shearer believes that Newcastle United have a serious Nick Woltemade problem after the defeat to Sunderland.
The giant German scored the unfortunate winner in the derby, with his own goal giving Sunderland victory over Newcastle United.
It was a devastating moment for Nick Woltemade, but he cannot be criticised for that. However, Woltemade’s overall performance was poor. The fact he only had 12 touches of the ball sums that up.
The 23-year-old was a passenger at the Stadium of Light, and Alan Shearer has admitted that his derby day disaster is part of a wider issue for Eddie Howe.
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Who was Newcastle United’s most disappointing player vs Sunderland?
Feel free to list all of them in the comments 👀
Alan Shearer is very worried about Nick Woltemade and Newcastle United
The Newcastle United legend has addressed Woltemade’s performance on the latest episode of the Rest Is Football podcast.
Shearer is worried that Woltemade is not suited to Newcastle’s style of play, bemoaning his inability to effectively press from the front.
“As good as he’s been and the goals he’s scored and lovely technique and touch,” he said.
“It is a difficult problem that Newcastle have with him. Technically very good, ball at his feet very good, albeit he wasn’t today. But he does pose a problem for Newcastle because he can’t press.
“Everything about Newcastle’s success over the recent years that Eddie’s brought into it is about energy, high press, not letting the opposition play.
“Did you see us today? Sat back, 4-5-1, no pressure on the ball, nothing. And that’s a bit of a problem for Newcastle because he [Woltemade] hasn’t got great energy. He’s not quick. He’s got other strengths that he brings. But everything about Newcastle’s success hasn’t been about that.
“It’s been about energy and about high press. And he can’t do that. And that’s one of the reasons, I’m not saying it’s the full reason, but that’s one of the reasons why Newcastle have struggled away from home.”
Shearer’s derby verdict is in! Too harsh or not harsh enough?
I think he's spot on 😠
Eddie Howe used Nick Woltemade all wrong against Sunderland
Woltemade was bad against Sunderland, but he also was not given much chance to be successful.
Newcastle sat so deep against Sunderland, leaving the £69million man isolated up front. While he should have held the ball up much better, there were barely any teammates close to him even if he did manage to retain it.
His link up play can be excellent, but it only works if Newcastle get the ball into him and runners going beyond. That never happened at the Stadium of Light, with Eddie Howe getting his tactics all wrong.
Woltemade is suddenly enduring a worrying run of form, at a time when Yoane Wissa is pushing to finally start for his new club. In truth, the sooner he can start, the better.
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