Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade suffered a quiet Sunday as the Magpies lost 3-1 to Brentford.
Earlier this month, Eddie Howe wanted an answer to Newcastle United’s away-day woes.
Since then, Newcastle have suffered defeat to West Ham United and then repeated the pain against Brentford.
Howe’s side lost 3-1 at Brentford on Sunday, almost matching the defeat at West Ham stride for stride.
Take the lead, fail to seize the initiative, completely crumble in the second half and leave the capital with a 3-1 loss: that has been the blueprint for Newcastle’s two poor defeats in London.
Nick Woltemade looks on during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Brentford
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade’s display for Newcastle United
Newcastle encountered real problems in West London, but Howe’s inability to react after Dan Burn’s yellow card really cost the Magpies.
The wheels really came off after Burn was red-carded, but Newcastle continue to struggle going forward.
Nick Woltemade has made a big impact since joining Newcastle from Stuttgart, but the last few weeks have been tricky.
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Woltemade has now scored just once in his last six Newcastle outings, and he cut a forlorn figure at Brentford.
The German had a hand, or rather a foot, in Harvey Barnes opening the scoring, but he didn’t particularly look like scoring.
Howe spoke about Woltemade’s display after the final whistle, as shown by Beanyman Sports.
When asked whether Woltemade’s desire to drop deep and get on the ball rather than occupy centre-backs is hampering Newcastle, Howe refused to put the blame on the striker.
Howe thinks Newcastle as a whole need to improve, but he will look at everything – including Woltemade’s role.
Howe believes that Woltemade is trying his best, but Sunday’s defeat at Brentford was a ‘difficult’ afternoon.
The Magpies boss even claimed that he would like to make a ‘different decision’ rather than playing Woltemade week in and week out, but injuries to William Osula and Yoane Wissa leave him with little alternative.
It sounds like Woltemade may have been on the bench at Brentford if other options had been available, but the injuries prevented that luxury for Howe.
“I don’t think it’s just on Nick or nothing,” said Howe. “My job is to protect him, and I think he’s had a great start to his career here. I think we haven’t helped him be as effective as he can be, especially today. I thought it was a difficult game for him.
“Difficult again in the respect that he’s the only fit centre forward we have. So again, more pressure and more weight on his shoulders, when possibly I’d like to have made a different decision for him.
“But yeah, the team has to do better. We have to do better in helping him and supporting him. He’s giving everything currently, and he’s given everything since he’s been here, and he’s had to take that weight on his shoulders on his own. It’s not been easy. But, of course, we need to look at also how we’re performing away from home and if there’s changes to be made, then we need to make them,” he added.
Nick Woltemade’s concerning stats for Newcastle United
Woltemade has become a fan favourite, but a lull was perhaps to be expected.
The giant forward enjoyed just one season of Bundesliga success before making his huge move to Newcastle.
After a hot start, Woltemade is now going through some difficulties in a Newcastle shirt.
The stats from Woltemade’s last three Premier League games paint the picture of a striker struggling to recapture his top form.
Category Nick Woltemade’s statistics in the last three games
Goals 0
Shots on target 0
Key passes 2
Dispossessions 8
Successful dribbles 2
Aerials won 2
Woltemade hasn’t managed a single shot on target in his last three games and has only won two aerial duels in the process.
Newcastle need the ball to stick, especially away from home, but Woltemade looks increasingly isolated.
Woltemade’s situation is multi-faceted, as Newcastle’s midfielders and wingers are struggling to both support and supply him, while the Magpies don’t have many other options to bring in.
That means Woltemade is taking on a huge workload at the moment, and some jaded displays perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise.
Newcastle need Woltemade firing, and Howe will be looking for his teammates to chip in and make a much bigger impact after the international break.