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Newcastle United do not know their best wide partnership as Nick Woltemade continues to be fed on scraps up front.
It was a case of “job done” for Newcastle United in the Champions League last night. November 5 usually promises fireworks but there was little explosion at St James’ Park as the Magpies coasted to a routine victory - and planted a huge step towards knockout qualification.
Dynamite could perhaps be the perfect way to describe Eddie Howe’s four-year reign on Tyneside. A club dragged from the nadir, goals - at least until recently - were the staple of Newcastle’s revival diet.
How different that tune has sounded this season. Just 10 goals in as many Premier League games hardly screams Kevin Keegan et al.
A comfortable 2-0 win over an injury-hit Athletic Club, if truth be told, posed more questions of the attacking mishaps than answers. Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali starred to shut out the opposition but Newcastle continued to look disjointed going forward - especially out wide.
The lack of end product from the wings has been the root of the Magpies’ shortcomings this season. Anthony Gordon - who hobbled off against the La Liga side after another woeful display - has not recorded a goal contribution in 19 top-flight games.
Harvey Barnes last netted a Premier League strike in April. Yes, he has enjoyed success against Union Saint-Gilloise and Benfica, but domestic competition is where every player should be truly judged.
As for the right flank, Newcastle fans are yet to see any justification for Anthony Elanga’s £55million price tag. He continues to look like a deer in the headlights, with patience regarding Howe’s coaching methods monopolising all of the faith that he can come good.
Jacob Murphy has been better, with his five goal contributions across all competitions making him the pick of Newcastle’s wingers. But is he really the wideman to put the fear of god into Premier League defenders?
Newcastle do not know their best wide partnership. It would be interesting to ask Nick Woltemade his true preference after 13 appearances in a Toon shirt.
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From the vantage of the press box, the German clearly cut a frustrated figure as he once again suffered from a lack of service. Let’s be honest, his six goals in Newcastle colours have been prolific, with Woltemade largely fed on scraps from those out wide.
Gordon’s injury makes Howe’s job easier ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brentford, a game viewed by many as a bigger occasion than last night. A recurrence of a hip problem suffered earlier this year might be a blessing in disguise to take him away from the firing line.
Howe has around £145million worth of talent to choose from on the flanks and, currently, their form is giving him the biggest selection headache. Last night saw Newcastle take another huge leap in their Champions League side hustle - but Sunday is the bread and butter and where this team deserves to be judged.
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