Nick Woltemade was given a new role last night and repaid Eddie Howe’s faith by breaking a 14-game run without scoring.
Eddie Howe has suggested Nick Woltemade arrived as a fluid “attacker” and was well aware of his deep-lying abilities.
Newcastle United stumped up a club-record £69million to sign the German last summer. It has been a mixed bag for Woltemade, having enjoyed a flying start before suffering in recent weeks.
The 6ft 6in striker headed into last night’s game without scoring in 14 games but bagged a late clincher to dump Aston Villa out of the FA Cup. Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle’s team sheet was announced - but it soon became clear that Woltemade would be operating in a deeper role.
Nick Woltemade ‘trained’ in new position
Howe used Woltemade as a No.8 when out of possession but gave him licence to get forward in the final third. The Toon boss hopes the 24-year-old - who was also the birthday boy yesterday - can use the performance as a springboard for future success.
“His attitude to what we've been asking him to do in recent weeks, where we've been training him in a different position, has been outstanding,” Howe told reporters. “He's done a lot of work, he's done it really well and today he got the benefit of that.
“I thought he was very, very good in possession, out of possession, capped off with a great goal. I’m delighted for him and hopefully that just makes him feel really good about himself and what the future can look like for him here.”
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade’s best position
When asked by NewcastleWorld to identify Woltemade’s best position, Howe added: “He arrived as an ‘attacker’ really. I knew his best work was done low on the pitch, coming deep to link play.
“One of the reasons we wanted to sign him was his technical ability, added with a lot of other strengths that he's got. So even when he was playing as a No.9 we were encouraging him to come deeper on the pitch.
“Today he started deeper on the pitch. I don't think there's a massive difference between the two, but when he's playing and starting deeper, obviously there's a bigger defensive responsibility and that's where I have to give him particular praise because he understood what the team needed. He understood the importance of the defensive aspect and I thought he was outstanding today.”
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