The legendary United No 9 feels the German international stats are way below where they should be
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade struggled against Everton(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United goalscoring hero Alan Shearer launched a scathing critique of Nick Woltemade's recent performances for the Magpies after another dismal showing in the 3-2 defeat to Everton.
The German frontman looked out of place in a midfield role in the first half-hour, before being switched to his more usual centre-forward position, although he again failed to make any impact.
Woltemade's struggles of late are a far cry from his first few months on Tyneside, when he burst on to the scene following his club record £69m from Stuttgart.
He has now scored just once in his last 19 appearances for Newcastle, with Anthony Gordon often preferred in the main striking role.
Shearer insists it's not all on Woltemade's shoulders and that others have to step up too, but the former United striker has not been impressed with recent contributions.
"It's definitely a conundrum," he told BBC's Match of the Day. "First of all, I thought Newcastle were a bit of a mess today, particularly in the first half an hour when Joelinton was on the left, Woltemade was in central midfield and Gordon was up front, and then he changed it and put Woltemade up top.
"But when you look at the stats from Woltemade it's nowhere near good enough, and I know part of that is being in midfield, but part of it was up front today.
"No goals, no assists, no shots, no touches in the opposition box and 14 touches today (vs Everton). It's not all is fault because others have to improve as well, others have to step up, but there's no doubt it's a conundrum for Eddie as to where and how he gets the best out of him.
"I think there is a player in there, but it's a player that is really, really struggling."
United struggled to break Everton down on a frustrating day at St James' Park, and saw two defensive howlers gift the Toffees the lead after they twice equalised.
Shearer pointed to Everton's workrate and organisation as the key behind United's struggles, in a marked contrast to their Champions League form.
"Newcastle have found it hard. In the Champions League, teams come out and play against them," he added. "But in the Premier League teams are going to sit deep and that's why Newcastle have found it hard."
Newcastle almost snatched a late equaliser when Sandro Tonali's thunderbolt was brilliant saved by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.
"That is a world-class save," Shearer said. "It's a brilliant strike from Tonali but it's just an unbelievably save. The reaction to get that on to the bar was remarkable, but Newcastle, in truth, probably didn't deserve something out of the game."
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