Nick Woltemade scored a stunner in Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
Nick Woltemade has admitted Newcastle United were not up to scratch against Brighton.
The German netted a brilliant improvised equaliser that could be in contention for goal of the month. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as the Seagulls went back in front eight minutes later.
Brighton continue to be Newcastle’s bogey team as Eddie Howe’s men suffered their third defeat in the Premier League this season. A huge week ahead sees Champions League action against Benfica before Fulham travel to St James’ Park on Saturday.
Nick Woltemade honest on Newcastle United
Speaking post-match, Woltemade gave an honest reflection on how Newcastle fared. He also opened up about the trust Howe has given him since arriving on Tyneside.
“It's not good,” Woltemade told NUFC TV. “In the first half, we didn't do good. The second half was good energy in the game. We scored one goal and it felt like we would win but they played good and scored. That's football sometimes. The second half was way better than the first. I really like to play here. I get balls. The players are looking for me. The gaffer trusts me.
“In the second half, we had good chances but we lost them in the first half. We didn't have good energy. It's part of football when the ball doesn't want to go in, but it's important we keep working on that.
“Before the national break, we had a good week and today you can see that we can get the game on our side in away games. We will keep working and win games away.”
Eddie Howe shares view
Howe’s assessment of the game echoed Woltemade’s comments on what was a “tough” afternoon for Newcastle. He told reporters: “A tough result for us. I don’t think we played well for half an hour of that first half, we made a bright start to that first half and looked in a good place initially, then we fell away. We were loose on the ball in that first period and ended up being in transition an awful lot.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half and I think it was a time to try and shake the team up (at the break), to try and get new energy onto the pitch. Different players with different qualities and I thought the team benefited. We didn’t play with our normal clarity on the ball (in that first half) and much better in the second half, much more like ourselves.”
Read More
Newcastle United caught out
The Toon boss acknowledged how Newcastle tried to win the game rather than settle for the point. Howe added: “It (the winner) is a big moment. We are chasing the winner, we feel we are the better team in that moment in the game, we are chasing the goal, we want to win games.
“Our midfield line gets penetrated and the ball ricochets to Welbeck. He finishes it very well but we are disappointed with the two goals conceded.”
Continue Reading