Newcastle United fans have a new hero in Nick Woltemade after a hot start to his career at St James’ Park.
Newcastle snapped up Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart as the Magpies looked towards a future without Alexander Isak.
Yoane Wissa’s injury problems mean he has not been able to feature for Newcastle, catapulting Woltemade into the starting lineup.
Woltemade has now scored in his first three home Premier League games at Newcastle, matching the record set by Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer on Nick Woltemade’s position at Newcastle United
Woltemade is far from a typical striker.
Most giant strikers are profiled as target men and occupy defenders while challenging for aerial duels.
Woltemade has impressed in the air, but he actually loves to drop deep and get on the ball.
Anthony Gordon has likened Woltemade to Harry Kane in terms of his style of play, with strikers of his frame rarely seen operating in the number 10 role.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has now suggested that Woltemade isn’t really a classic number nine, but more of a ‘9.5’.
Speaking on The Weekend Wrap for Premier League Productions, Shearer praised Woltemade for making a big impact with his goals.
However, Shearer feels it’s ‘important to realise’ that Woltemade is not a centre forward and doesn’t make the runs of a natural striker.
Shearer thinks Wissa would be a better fit as a striker for Newcastle, but appreciates that Howe will look to chop and change his strikers with ‘really good options’ at his disposal.
“There’s still work to be done, but I think he’s made a really promising start in terms of his goals, but he’s not a number nine; a number nine would do that (run across the near post).
“A goalscorer would do that, that’s what you have to do, get into those movements. But what he can do is link play; he can bring people into the game, and he’s very good at that. There were a couple of instances in the second half which also tell you he’s not a natural goalscorer because of the position he takes up in the box.
“He can be really, really pleased with the start he’s got, and he’s only going to get better with the coaching from Eddie.
“It’s important to realise, he’s not a nine, he’s a nine and a half, maybe a 10, and he will bring different attributes to what a nine does, but once Wissa is fit, then the manager will have really good options, because Wissa is a nine and he will run in behind,” he added.
Don’t rule out Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade playing together
Eddie Howe has predominantly played a 4-3-3 system at Newcastle, but he has shown some flexibility this season.
Newcastle’s 0-0 draw at Leeds United featured a back three with wing-backs, so Howe may consider further formation changes.
Howe may even be tempted to unleash Woltemade and Wissa together in the Newcastle attack down the line.
Wissa can pose a major threat in behind, and Woltemade’s ability to drop deep could make them a dangerous pairing for defenders to handle.
That is something for Howe to consider moving forward, as he looks for Wissa to make the same impact as Woltemade in the coming months.
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