Newcastle United could look to use both of their strikers in an exciting 4-4-2 formation.placeholder image
Newcastle United could look to use both of their strikers in an exciting 4-4-2 formation. | Getty Images/ Canva
A number of classic tactics from a bygone era are returning to the modern game - could we see Newcastle United experiment with a vintage formation?
Whether it’s long-throws into the box, booting the ball out from kick-off, or simply goalkeepers going long from goal kicks - it’s clear to see that Premier League football this season is increasingly reverting back to tactics which were popular in the past.
Football tactics and systems often come in waves from generation to generation, and at the moment it appears that managers might be moving on from the dominant philosophy of high-lines, intense pressing and always playing the ball out from the back.
Surely then, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before we see the resurgence of one more beloved tactic: the 4-4-2 formation, and more specifically the return of the ‘big man-little man’ strike force.
Classic examples from years gone by include Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn or even going further back Kevin Keegan and John Toshack. It worked well as it saw the more physical player dominate in the air to win flick-ons, which would in turn create space for a faster, more mobile striker to get in behind and score goals.
It’s less common these days due to the focus on 4-3-3, but could we see a sensational new strike partnership emerge at Newcastle United under Eddie Howe? They just might have the tools to do so, if they’re willing to take the plunge.
Nick Woltemade has been excellent but he needs more from those around him
Newcastle United reluctantly allowed Alexander Isak to join Liverpool for a British record fee of £130m on Deadline Day. The Magpies had built their entire structure around the Swedish striker to great effect over the last few years - but have so far done a solid job of replacing him by signing Nick Woltemade for a club-record £69m from Stuttgart.
Woltemade has hit the ground running with five goals in eight matches. He’s scored in all of his first four home games since signing for the Toon - joining an elite group which only otherwise features Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand. Even Papiss Cisse’s heroics in 2012 so far don’t match the contribution of Woltemade.
The German has looked excellent in Black and White. Not only because of his goals, such as his superb header vs Wolves or his deft back-heel flick against Brighton, but also his all round ability to link the play, hold the ball up and bring others into the match.
At this moment in time, Newcastle aren’t performing like the creative force that they proved they can be in years gone by, but almost none of the blame lies with Woltemade. It’s instead down to Anthony Gordon, who hasn’t scored in the league since January, and summer signing Anthony Elanga who simply needs show more, with neither playing close to their optimum level.
Why Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade could be a formidable partnership
Unlike Woltemade, Wissa has bags of experience in the Premier League and was amongst the most clinical players in the league last season - scoring 19 times across the campaign, which was the sixth highest in the division.
Crucially, Wissa wasn’t on penalties, meaning he scored all of his goals from open play. This meant he had the same tally as both Erling Haaland and Isak when not factoring in penalties. For context, only Mohamed Salah, with 20 from open play, managed more than the former Brentford talisman.
Wissa joined for £55m after a long-drawn out transfer saga and inherited the No.9 shirt from Callum Wilson. However, he’s still yet to kick a ball for the Magpies after sustaining a knee injury for DR Congo on international duty.
He’s expected to return in early November, and ironically could be in line for his debut against the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium. Given the manner of his injury, it’s unlikely Newcastle will throw him in at the deep-end with a flurry of starts straightaway. However, based on his qualities, there’s reason to believe he could be a really effective partner alongside Woltemade.
Wissa, for one, has a completely different skill set to the German. He likes to play on the shoulder of defenders and make runs in behind rather than dropping in deep to receive the ball. He scored the vast majority of his goals from inside the penalty area but is also effective at running directly at defenders and using his speed to great effect to get around players.
Woltemade had 4.38 shot creating actions per 90 when playing in the Bundesliga and often thrived in a two-man strike force alongside Bosnian Ermedin Demirović. Meanwhile, Wissa, although operating mainly as a sole striker, did have one of the most effective partnerships in the division last term at Brentford when playing alongside right-winger Bryan Mbeumo, with the duo often combining in an almost telepathic fashion in certain moments.
It’s worth noting that the 4-4-2 is not necessarily a tactic Newcastle should use every week. After all, the nucleus of the team has been the success of the midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. But in certain games, especially mid-match against a low block, it could be the perfect way to unlock teams and keep both marquee signings happy.
Eddie Howe has worked wonders with a 4-4-2 in the past at Bournemouth when Josh King and Wilson both hit double figures - and it’s fair to say he has two strikers with the tactical capabilities of doing it at St. James’ Park.
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