NWMag Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 He’s a very good player, but he doesn’t fit our system. We bought him knowing what he is, so it’s down to us to make the system work for him imo. He’s so good with his feet, which is why people say he’s a 10. Whether he’s a 10 or not, he’s best having people play off him, he can be the link between CM/Wingers/Striker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikky Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 4 minutes ago, NWMag said: He’s a very good player, but he doesn’t fit our system. We bought him knowing what he is, so it’s down to us to make the system work for him imo. He’s so good with his feet, which is why people say he’s a 10. Whether he’s a 10 or not, he’s best having people play off him, he can be the link between CM/Wingers/Striker He’s always played in a 2 - but this is the first season he’s played as a 9’for club and country - there are loads of positives in his games and areas to improve - that’s what excites me - and it’s up to us to build a team to suit his game … Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 Things are brewing nicely on social media. A couple of more ineffective substitute appearances and it's party time for the sigh brigade. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibierski Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 I’m interested in seeing how he does over next few games and if there’s an upturn in his form. I get an impression the rotation now with Wissa has knocked him off stride, and he’s not someone who can come in and out the side and deliver. Then with his style completely different, it’s a shift in attack needed, which won’t help. Rather he started every game going personally and Wissa is coming on for final 15. He’s the striker we need to build our attack around moving forward. Wissa comes from a side that’s had no interest in building up attacks and is all about getting the ball into the box in the least amount of passes, and it shows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erikse Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 (edited) 16 hours ago, NWMag said: He’s a very good player, but he doesn’t fit our system. We bought him knowing what he is, so it’s down to us to make the system work for him imo. He’s so good with his feet, which is why people say he’s a 10. Whether he’s a 10 or not, he’s best having people play off him, he can be the link between CM/Wingers/Striker I think he would be a great "false" 9 if our wingers were kind of narrow. For instance, the Mane - Firmino - Salah combo. In this system Firmino worked perfectly. The problem is that we are playing with wide wingers, so the linkup won't often be these cute passes that Wolte likes to play. Edited January 15 by Erikse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 He was 6-8th choice forward we'd have had on a list that summer. Talented player, but not suited for us; certainly not as a £70M lead forward. I think once it gets so far down a transfer priority list beyond 3rd pick, you should call it a day in the market. In reality, if we want to be in that top 6/CL we are still going to be in the market for a replacement striker that can score us 20-30 goals in a season. Wissa was a good replacement for Wilson, but at £55M we've paid through the nose on that deal. Last summer will bite us on the arse hard in coming years even with the Isak windfall and CL money this year. Hard to know what to do, even with hindsight of Wissa's injury, Gordon unable to play as a 9 and Osula being 'sidelined' - but think we rushed into a market and got are arse bit for wanting a 6-8th choice pick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fak Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 1 minute ago, trx345 said: He was 6-8th choice forward we'd have had on a list that summer. Talented player, but not suited for us; certainly not as a £70M lead forward. I think once it gets so far down a transfer priority list beyond 3rd pick, you should call it a day in the market. In reality, if we want to be in that top 6/CL we are still going to be in the market for a replacement striker that can score us 20-30 goals in a season. Wissa was a good replacement for Wilson, but at £55M we've paid through the nose on that deal. Last summer will bite us on the arse hard in coming years even with the Isak windfall and CL money this year. Hard to know what to do, even with hindsight of Wissa's injury, Gordon unable to play as a 9 and Osula being 'sidelined' - but think we rushed into a market and got are arse bit for wanting a 6-8th choice pick. Woltemade is clearly a very talented footballer. It'll work out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Tips: just put him in ignore list Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 2 minutes ago, Fak said: Woltemade is clearly a very talented footballer. It'll work out. I'm leaning toward believing it will. + A season, a year older and a full pre-season he'll be a player that's stronger and fitter. He's not fit enough, or 'Eddie-fit' to play 90mins for us, let alone impact multiple games in a block. - He'll never be a player that can or will want to run in behind. Can still be quality, as seen for Germany. He has talent, but we aren't in the fortune or ever likely to have in coming years to have levels of Germany's forward talent buzz off him. What I'm on fence on is if he will ever be coached, or grow into being more aggressive in his game. Both physically, and mentally. I don't think he's an instinctive finisher that will just score for fun anything that drops to him 6-10 yards out. That can be coached though - Rashford was a good example I remember (being told to stand in width of goalposts). Another factor as to why I'm on the fence, is the supporting cast he's playing with. Not saying we need Musiala, Sane - but lot's needs to change on many fronts for Wolte to work out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFEE Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 14/01/2026 at 03:23, Mountain said: He's a fantasitic and unique player. Should have taken that chance first time, but that will come. Disagree. To me it was the moment/example that separates the haves and have nots regards to striker instincts. Defoe would’ve had that shot off in a heartbeat regardless of age. Maybe muscle memory can be worked on but that born instinct can’t. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 28 minutes ago, LFEE said: Disagree. To me it was the moment/example that separates the haves and have nots regards to striker instincts. Defoe would’ve had that shot off in a heartbeat regardless of age. Maybe muscle memory can be worked on but that born instinct can’t. Defoe came to my mind on Wissa's chance early. But yeah, the example is fair to Wolte as well. There is a lost generation of players that that would hit shots inside/outside off both feet, because off muscle memory of scoring goals. Taking shots first time in the box is a sign of a goalscorer. Hit it first time, test the keeper at minimum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gottlob Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 As others have pointed out Woltemade doesn't have loads of top-flight games under his belt and I think he absolutely can learn to be a bit more aggressive and take first-time shots when through on goal. I think he can really become whatever he wants to be and is hugely talented, though I also think we have benefitted from the return of Wissa who isn't firing on all cylinders but allows us to be more dynamic and direct. And to that end I think Howe will give Woltemade time and try to coach him but I'm not sure we're going to do much to really integrate him into our play. Earlier in the season there were occasions where we looked to be trying for some slick interplay through the middle or for one of the midfielders to play in a more advanced role, but I think we've reverted to type and will tweak the system rather than really making strides to become more of a possession team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 2 hours ago, trx345 said: He was 6-8th choice forward we'd have had on a list that summer. Talented player, but not suited for us; certainly not as a £70M lead forward. I think once it gets so far down a transfer priority list beyond 3rd pick, you should call it a day in the market. In reality, if we want to be in that top 6/CL we are still going to be in the market for a replacement striker that can score us 20-30 goals in a season. Wissa was a good replacement for Wilson, but at £55M we've paid through the nose on that deal. Last summer will bite us on the arse hard in coming years even with the Isak windfall and CL money this year. Hard to know what to do, even with hindsight of Wissa's injury, Gordon unable to play as a 9 and Osula being 'sidelined' - but think we rushed into a market and got are arse bit for wanting a 6-8th choice pick. Not sure you can really call it a day in the market and go into a PL season with no striker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Back to goal he's the skills at foot of Romario, but goal-scoring threat of Kerlon. He's the tallest striker in Premier League, my guess all of top flight Europe and CL - but often Newcastle with Wolte up front is a defenders dream. He lets CB's bully him, never dominates in the air despite his size, and never a threat behind. National League sides could stop him scoring. Him turning into an angry target-man bastard that started elbowing CBs is probably the best thing for his game, but total opposite of his character. Not even going so far as Billy Whitehurst - maybe just if he turned into a toon Jan Koller we'd all be happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fak Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 In a couple of posts you've gone from saying we shouldn't have signed him because he was 8th choice to then comparing him to Romario. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 He's quality and he'll bang 20+ a season in next year if he's on pens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Green Balls Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 FFS there is some real horse shit on here. Have people lost all capacity to show some patience toward a player. He’s scored nearly double figures and he’s already a dud. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Green Balls Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 I said months ago that this forum can feel like 4chan or some shit, and it’s just gotten worse since. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Just now, Vinny Green Balls said: FFS there is some real horse shit on here. Have people lost all capacity to show some patience toward a player. He’s scored nearly double figures and he’s already a dud. 2 assists and 2 goals in his last 4 starts. Shite. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 He's so unique that I really want to build around him. Playing the wingers more narrow seems to be the answer, as people have said. Wissa has been very average so far and missed a few big chances, so I don't think it's nailed-on that Wissa should start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Green Balls Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Conduct the inquest. He’s only scored in half of his games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Just now, AyeDubbleYoo said: Not sure you can really call it a day in the market and go into a PL season with no striker. That's why 5th+ choice choices should have been high cost loans likes of Jackson, Hojlund on loan, or even trying for an expensive season loan for Osimhen? Then plan to go again in 6-12 months. Not both expensive and long term like Wolte. I understand both sides of this argument, but I think a club that has exhausted top targets in a position, they are just gambling and liable to losing out in the long run. You either have top targets or not? Can't just keep going. In retrospect maybe we should have realised that Seko, Pedro, Delap, Etikeke would all turn us down - and be going in a lesser market for strikers. Would any of us grumble is Evanilson or Igor Thiago played for us and replaced Isak for £40M? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 (edited) I think we'd grumble about almost anything unless it worked out very well and very quickly. I think it's way too early to be saying Woltemade was the wrong signing. There's a fair point about the club being more creative or taking more risks with transfers and the loan market etc. But I understand why they value squad cohesion and people committed to the project rather than just any footballer they can get in for a few months. Not to mention the high wages. I mean, Villa gambled big on the CL and didn't make it, so they had to sell players. IMO they're quite lucky that they have Emery and Rodgers or they would be fucked. Edited January 15 by AyeDubbleYoo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteV Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 2 minutes ago, trx345 said: That's why 5th+ choice choices should have been high cost loans likes of Jackson, Hojlund on loan, or even trying for an expensive season loan for Osimhen? Then plan to go again in 6-12 months. Not both expensive and long term like Wolte. I understand both sides of this argument, but I think a club that has exhausted top targets in a position, they are just gambling and liable to losing out in the long run. You either have top targets or not? Can't just keep going. In retrospect maybe we should have realised that Seko, Pedro, Delap, Etikeke would all turn us down - and be going in a lesser market for strikers. Would any of us grumble is Evanilson or Igor Thiago played for us and replaced Isak for £40M? Oshimen’s on over £300k p/w Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trx345 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Just now, SteV said: Oshimen’s on over £300k p/w Hence why I framed that as a last resort, and even said expensive-loan. That should have been our 6-8th choice in a window. Even season loan deals on Martinez or Hojlund are going to be costing Napoli and Bayern north of 200k a week. Now Wolte is here, I wish him nothing but success. On the whole I think he will get better as player. As with anyone, on any player - you have your own personal eye-test and opinion on players. As AyeDubbleYoo said, I'm grumbling as he's not perfect from the get go. Hold my hands up to that I guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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