Nick Woltemade

[McDog]

Just now, Jack14Bojangles said:

Nick didn't really get into the game today. When his shot hits the post and goes into the goal, he's making a big splash. Unfortunately, it was his weakest performance so far. His passes were still good, but unfortunately, less than usual. The way he's constantly being held back by the defenders is outrageous; the referees need to finally take action.

 

 

Physically being pulled down. That's what happened indeed.

[Loki679]

BDB gets the same (lack of) treatment from the refs.  Seems if you're a big lad there's a different set of rules.

[timeEd32]

It’s not Eddie’s way and I love him for it, but Fergie or Klopp would start making little remarks like “imagine how good he’d be without defenders hanging on him” and after awhile it would influence things.

[Beren]

Another strong performance overall. Took one snapshot which seemed to have a bit of juice, but it was blocked. Don't buy the "not a goalscorer" stuff at all. He's better for the team a little deep than being a poacher but I see goalscoring instincts - and actual goals

 

Similar to Polic I've got no issue with him trying to unlock the defence and losing possession, the only notable misstep today was when he did it in our defensive third.

 

Ref was bobbins today. Need one of our gobbier lot to say it in post-match like Osula or Gordon after an island game

 

 

[Taylor Swift]

He drops deep like a false 9. But, to make it work we need to be able to move possession up with him, which we were struggling to do. Need attacking full backs to make use of the space. 

[ExiledGeordie]

3 hours ago, Taylor Swift said:

He drops deep like a false 9. But, to make it work we need to be able to move possession up with him, which we were struggling to do. Need attacking full backs to make use of the space. 

There was very good analysis from Carrick on MOTD about how him dropping deep and allowing midfielders and wingers running into space behind is really hard to defend against and while he himself can’t run into space behind behind he links all the play up very well. I can see Ramsey really benefiting from this. Wissa ofcourse will give us a different option when he comes back. 

[Mole]

6 hours ago, Beren said:

Another strong performance overall. Took one snapshot which seemed to have a bit of juice, but it was blocked. Don't buy the "not a goalscorer" stuff at all. He's better for the team a little deep than being a poacher but I see goalscoring instincts - and actual goals

 

Similar to Polic I've got no issue with him trying to unlock the defence and losing possession, the only notable misstep today was when he did it in our defensive third.

 

Ref was bobbins today. Need one of our gobbier lot to say it in post-match like Osula or Gordon after an island game

 

 

It's nonsense and happens everytime he doesn't score  which fortunately hasn't happened too often in the league.

 

Smacks of "this was my opinion when he arrived and I don't want to admit I was wrong".

 

He can improve in some of his off the ball runs when crosses come in which I'm sure they're working on but it's a giant leap between that and not a striker.

 

The reason he drops deep anyway is because the midfield are not controlling games at all in the league and they kinda need him to do it to support them.

 

He was playing a lot higher up against Benfica because we had much higher control of the game, which in turn allows the wingers to do what they did as well.

[Cf]

10 hours ago, El Prontonise said:

 

He was pretty awful second in all honesty, offered not much.  Should've been hooked earlier.

 

Did have one good bit in the second half where he held the ball up in the box, got a few defenders intro him, found Gordon who then crossed it into the space freed up by Woltemade putting it on a plate for Bruno who inexplicably missed. 

 

Would have gone down as a Gordon assist but would have been just as much Woltemade's. 

[El Prontonise]

Just now, Cf said:

 

Did have one good bit in the second half where he held the ball up in the box, got a few defenders intro him, found Gordon who then crossed it into the space freed up by Woltemade putting it on a plate for Bruno who inexplicably missed. 

 

Would have gone down as a Gordon assist but would have been just as much Woltemade's. 

 

Yeah, I'll rephrase that it just wasn't in the game much throughout the 2nd half.  We desperately needed a change upfront IMO, the difference when Osula came on was stark.

[Beren]

I think it's also quickly forgotten that even during the Isak halcyon days, the team were often criticised for the gaping chasm and disconnect between Isak and the rest of the team.

 

(Although I do think getting Woltemade to press by himself is wasteful. He doesn't have much closing speed).

 

BIg Nick's ability to motivate runners up the pitch is great. Just need Tino and Hall back to properly capitalise.

[ExiledGeordie]

6 hours ago, Taylor Swift said:

He drops deep like a false 9. But, to make it work we need to be able to move possession up with him, which we were struggling to do. Need attacking full backs to make use of the space. 

Yes I think Hall and Tino will definitely help with this when they come back.

[Magnus]

17 minutes ago, Cf said:

 

Did have one good bit in the second half where he held the ball up in the box, got a few defenders intro him, found Gordon who then crossed it into the space freed up by Woltemade putting it on a plate for Bruno who inexplicably missed. 

 

Would have gone down as a Gordon assist but would have been just as much Woltemade's. 

Thought that was a cracking demonstration of what the lad can do. Held off the (what was it, two?) defenders with his back to goal on the edge of the box. Controlled the ball and flicked it up to himself to pass it on a half turn perfectly to Gordon. 

 

I just love having a player with the close control he has. Always got grumpy when seeing the ball just bounce off one of our players …. like I’ve ever had the skill set to do any better!
 

I think he’ll score plenty but provide so much more for the wingers and midfield running in. Problem we’ve got is our two best WBs are out plus the ‘out and out’ striker and everyone else is trying to adapt to a very different approach. I’m curious and excited to see what Eddie’s plans might be once they’re back. I’m also all-in on the thought/hope/belief that this signing and the changes it brings will deliver more goals from across the pitch than relying on one excellent striker/snake.

 

 

[joeyt]

 

Perfectly timed

[AyeDubbleYoo]

The guy’s class, just want to enjoy him rather than criticise when he has a quiet half. Which even then wasn’t that bad. He’s mint and we’re already seeing how he amplifies the ability of everyone around him. 

[wong989]

One option we’ve got is when the opposition tactic is stop Nick from moving at all costs is to play a pass through instead of into feet where they expect it. He goes to turn falls, ref can’t not give a free. At the very least it can’t continue. Think he’ll have to threaten at times to run behind as well, it can work if it’s unexpected.

[PauloGeordio]

[OpenC]

Was there any video from the front of the shield from two players then flick up and pass he did just before Bruno's miss on Saturday? I only saw it with his back to the camera but it looked beautiful

[Elliottman]

18 minutes ago, OpenC said:

Was there any video from the front of the shield from two players then flick up and pass he did just before Bruno's miss on Saturday? I only saw it with his back to the camera but it looked beautiful

Frustratingly not seen one either, camera cuts straight to Gordon from the correct/good angle 

[Jamesmcc222]

He’s played an insane amount of minutes for a new player in the premium league + champions league. Obviously this wasn’t the plan but has been needed.

 

On top of that he’s clearly being asked to link the play and start getting into the 6 yard box more.

 

With this context I’ve been even more impressed. What a man. 

[Alberto2005]

36 minutes ago, OpenC said:

Was there any video from the front of the shield from two players then flick up and pass he did just before Bruno's miss on Saturday? I only saw it with his back to the camera but it looked beautiful

Yeah on the match cam.

[OpenC]

Thanks man  felt like he held it for longer with his back turned but still a great way out of the situation

[Mahoneys Tache]

50 minutes ago, OpenC said:

Was there any video from the front of the shield from two players then flick up and pass he did just before Bruno's miss on Saturday? I only saw it with his back to the camera but it looked beautiful

Yeah. Saw a clip of it today from the front. Holy shit. 

[black_n_white]

2 hours ago, Jamesmcc222 said:

He’s played an insane amount of minutes for a new player in the premium league + champions league. Obviously this wasn’t the plan but has been needed.

 

On top of that he’s clearly being asked to link the play and start getting into the 6 yard box more.

 

With this context I’ve been even more impressed. What a man. 

Exactly why he shouldn’t start vs Spurs Wednesday. Give him a rest for the next two games.

[Lush Vlad]

The only minor concern I have so far is that he doesn’t look like an instinctive and natural finisher. 

He’s had three snap shots since joining and all have been sitters. All have hit the woodwork. I think the Forest and Arsenal ones wouldn’t have counted, TBF. Handball and offside, from memory. But just an observation. 
 

Obviously he offers much more than that and I still think the team as a whole will perform better than before. Once we fully understand how to play with him. 
 

Carrick’s analysis on MOTD is very promising and exciting moving forward. I thought it was one of his quieter games. Yet he was still heavily involved in a lot of our dangerous attacking moves. 

[Facundo Ferreyra]

I am convinced this man exists purely to rip the absolute piss out of that greedy injury prone rat bastard who shall not be named