Newcastle United Eddie Howe press conference review: Pre Brentford
Nick Woltemade has scored six goals for Newcastle United since his £65million move from VfB Stuttgart in August.
After scoring five goals in his first six starts for Newcastle, Nick Woltemade has found the net just once in his last five outings.
The German striker has made a fine start to life at Newcastle despite often lacking service from his teammates. Despite few clear-cut opportunities, Woltemade has scored with every shot on target he’s had for the club since his arrival, resulting in a solid scoring record.
Woltemade’s creativity and link-up play has also been praised by pundits, fans and coaches alike. But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe feels his side are still adapting to their new £65million record-signing.
Newcastle have scored just 10 goals in 10 Premier League matches so far, with Woltemade contributing four. It’s a frustrating stat that Howe’s side will be looking to put right when they visit Brentford on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
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NUFC still adapting to Nick Woltemade’s arrival
While Woltemade has impressed on an individual level, the team are still dealing with the transition after losing a very different striker in Alexander Isak at the start of the season.
“I don't think we're functioning at our best level,” Howe admitted. “That's not dependent on Nick. Nick's one player in the machine.
“I still think we're finding our best way to use him. We're finding our best form individually throughout the team. So I'm very happy with Nick.
“I'm very happy with his application. I'm very happy with his ability to carry out instructions. I'm very happy with, of course, the goals that he scored.
“So I think he individually has done very well. I think us as a team, we've still got to mould and find our best way.”
Newcastle United triple injury blow puts more pressure on Nick Woltemade
Heading into Sunday’s match, Newcastle will be without Yoane Wissa and William Osula due to injury. It leaves Woltemade as the club’s only recognised senior striker.
Even Anthony Gordon, who started the season up front for Newcastle, is a serious doubt for Sunday’s match with a hip injury.
But with Woltemade always likely to start against Brentford and lead the line moving forward, Howe is hoping the lack of attacking options won’t have a negative impact on his side or the striker.
“I don't think it will change anything,” Howe said. “Yes, we don't have a lot of support for him and that's why I think he's done very, very well because the focus has been purely on him and he's had to take that in his stride and he's done that really well.
“Big credit to him for that. Big credit to him for how he's performed so far. I think he's got broad shoulders, I think he can take that and it's up to us to protect him and look after him whenever we can.
“Try to withdraw him a couple of times to keep him fresh and keep his energy because he's obviously a big lad. He's got big limbs to move, and we need to make sure that he can take to the pitch in a good way.”
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