Nick Woltemade

[Gallowgate Toon]

1 hour ago, Erikse said:

https://streamable.com/lsxvwg

 

Here's an example. Drops deep to link up with the midfield. In one way that's what creates this chance. However he is far too slow to be able to get into a dangerous position for a cross. It looks like he's just jogging after releasing the ball to Bruno, and he even stops towards the end of his run, as if it's deliberate to stay back. I guess Barnes is looking for Murphy with his cross here, and Wolte is staying out to catch a rebound or second ball? Other than lack of pace, I don't understand why he wants to stay back here, but maybe that's on me. I also think similar situations are where the pace is a bit of an issue with our style when he drops deep so much.

 

 

 

At least Barnes makes the correct run in this pattern, shame the pass is just a tad overhit. You have to wonder if Woltemade had to actually drop that deep, and why others beyond 2 players aren't trying to get ahead of him quickly when he makes this move.

 

At the point of passing, he's level with Ramsey, yet he's nowhere to be seen at the end of the clip. One of the mids has to be taking more of a gamble there too. Ends up about 7v3.

[Erikse]

9 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

At least Barnes makes the correct run in this pattern, shame the pass is just a tad overhit. You have to wonder if Woltemade had to actually drop that deep, and why others beyond 2 players aren't trying to get ahead of him quickly when he makes this move.

 

At the point of passing, he's level with Ramsey, yet he's nowhere to be seen at the end of the clip. One of the mids has to be taking more of a gamble there too. Ends up about 7v3.

 

I agree, there are lots of questions around our attacks, I don't mean to say that Wolte is the biggest problem. I just can't understand why he's just jogging there and ends his run early. A faster player could have been in the position to score there, and maybe even Wolte had a small chance if he tried to sprint.

 

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by Erikse

[The College Dropout]

51 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Can’t believe the shit I’m reading here. This lad has pulled several rabbits out of the hat playing in a new team with wingers producing nowt and full backs who can’t advance up the pitch and stretch the play. We’ve been static as fuck and he’s been one of the few positives we’ve had all season. It would be nice to have more movement to stretch teams however, it’s other people’s failings mainly that have meant teams have been very comfortable defending behind the ball

He doesn’t make the runs you really need from a striker. 

[Gallowgate Toon]

Just now, Erikse said:

 

I agree, there are lots of questions around our attacks, I don't mean to say that Wolte is the biggest problem. I just can't understand why he's just jogging there and ends his run early. A faster player could have been in the right position there, and maybe even Wolte had a small chance if he tried to sprint.

Oh yeah, absolutely, he should be breaking for that like he was vs. Spurs the other week after setting Willock through, but it's just a microcosm of our attacking instincts in general across the team once that dropping deep move happens. A few should know by now that signal means to get a shift on up the pitch.

 

Only Barnes seems to move with any real intent.

[huss9]

not had a single chance all season with the ball at his feet facing the goal.

something isnt working.

[The College Dropout]

Just now, huss9 said:

not had a single chance all season with the ball at his feet facing the goal.

something isnt working.

He doesn’t try and get in behind at all.  He’s often not in the box for low crosses either. Or for a lot of the high crosses but he’s scored a couple of those.  
 

He’s had a few shots in the box mind.  
 

The way we play requires a fast and instinctive mover in the box that goes straight for goal.  
 

I do like Wolte but it isn’t working at all. And some of it is him. 

[huss9]

1 minute ago, The College Dropout said:

He doesn’t try and get in behind at all.  He’s often not in the box for low crosses either. Or for a lot of the high crosses but he’s scored a couple of those.  
 

He’s had a few shots in the box mind.  
 

The way we play requires a fast and instinctive mover in the box that goes straight for goal.  
 

I do like Wolte but it isn’t working at all. And some of it is him. 

yeah he had a couple of snap shots/volleys that hit the woodwork.

[Teslact]

7 hours ago, TRC said:

He’s not but some will point the finger. Although I think more people are informed about why things aren’t working these days but that typical match day fan who just goes to shout abuse will blame woltemade.

As were the (at least the USA stream) stupid commentators, complaining he wasn't on the end of that cross across the face of goal. Completely neglecting that he was the one who played in Murphy/Elanga (can't remember who it was now) from the edge of the box.

[The College Dropout]

10 minutes ago, Teslact said:

As were the (at least the USA stream) stupid commentators, complaining he wasn't on the end of that cross across the face of goal. Completely neglecting that he was the one who played in Murphy/Elanga (can't remember who it was now) from the edge of the box.

He does need to bust more of a gut to get in the box. 

[AJ9]

He’s obviously not the plug and play option we needed. He doesn’t do any of the things we need the forward to do in this team. The team needs to evolve around him but we’re figuring it out on the go. He’s class but were suffering because we’re not able to be direct and threaten behind. Teams can push right up against us and press. There’s no fear

[Magpie Mover]

He's more of a 10 than a 9 and doesn't have the instincts of a 9. Even as a 10 he's a unicorn. Still as NUFC.com pointed out we don't have to worry about him being offside.

[Lucky]

I feel bad for him at this point. He’s getting fuck all service. It’s unbelievable he’s scored as many as he has given how shite the team overall has been.

 

He needs to start being more selfish.

[Menace]

I think he's a great player I really do. I think he doesn't need to drop as deep as he does however, he looks absolutely knackered. Multiple times there was a cross in the box and he was a good 15 yards away. I'm sure Howe will instruct him to use his energy better and not drop as deep as he does. Him and Thiaw have probably been the only positives of our season so far.

[KingArthur]

1 hour ago, Menace said:

I think he's a great player I really do. I think he doesn't need to drop as deep as he does however, he looks absolutely knackered. Multiple times there was a cross in the box and he was a good 15 yards away. I'm sure Howe will instruct him to use his energy better and not drop as deep as he does. Him and Thiaw have probably been the only positives of our season so far.

But sometimes he has to, because we really cannot seem to be able to play past the opposition. But when he drop, Joelinton/Ramsey or Bruno/Gordon/Barnes/Murphy/ should be making runs in that space that he opens up. Now he drops and no movement is going past him. That really is poor from Eddie and midfielders. 

He will create a lot and score a lot, but not with a team that asks him to fight for long balls and chace down defenders. He is a pass first player, unlike the rat who was clearly a finisher. We need others to score more with this setup. I think he will work very well with Wissa.

[Mikky]

2 hours ago, Lucky said:

I feel bad for him at this point. He’s getting fuck all service. It’s unbelievable he’s scored as many as he has given how shite the team overall has been.

 

He needs to start being more selfish.

I think his best game for us was against Spurs  tbh - when he had Willock beside him - he seemed to have a lot more freedom 

 

He looks lost in the current set up and it’s not his fault 

[Guest]

So have we bought Woltemade as a 10 when we haven’t played with one with the intention of changing the whole system to suit him? Is he really good enough to justify that?

 

If this is the case presumably the plan is to play him with Wissa as the 9? 
 

Does that not leave us with a totally unbalanced frontline? Four wingers, one 10 and one and a half 9’s (only backup being big Willie Osula) Can we play with two wingers, and a 9 and a 10? Does that not leave us light in midfield? Can’t see Wolt has the physicality for big joes spot?

 

What happens when Wolt is injured or suspended or playing badly…… don’t most people/clubs want two players for every position? Who comes in for him? Or do we then have to readjust again? Is tinkering this much going to get the best out of Tonali and Bruno?

[ExiledGeordie]

2 hours ago, Menace said:

I think he's a great player I really do. I think he doesn't need to drop as deep as he does however, he looks absolutely knackered. Multiple times there was a cross in the box and he was a good 15 yards away. I'm sure Howe will instruct him to use his energy better and not drop as deep as he does. Him and Thiaw have probably been the only positives of our season so far.

I think he’s done very well but his style of play isn’t working in our system or rather we aren’t making him work in the current system. That’s on the coaching staff and other players to help him and get the ball into him better and get in behind him making runs. Craig hope’s recent video on this was pretty good. 
 

The Wissa injury threw him into the food and forced everyone to suddenly adapt to a new season whereas Wissa would’ve been and will be similar to something they’re used to. But they knew what’s they were getting with Woltemade so it’s on Howe to coach the team to get the best out of him. 

[ExiledGeordie]

4 minutes ago, Foxy Ruel said:

So have we bought Woltemade as a 10 when we haven’t played with one with the intention of changing the whole system to suit him? Is he really good enough to justify that?

 

If this is the case presumably the plan is to play him with Wissa as the 9? 
 

Does that not leave us with a totally unbalanced frontline? Four wingers, one 10 and one and a half 9’s (only backup being big Willie Osula) Can we play with two wingers, and a 9 and a 10? Does that not leave us light in midfield? Can’t see Wolt has the physicality for big joes spot?

 

What happens when Wolt is injured or suspended or playing badly…… don’t most people/clubs want two players for every position? Who comes in for him? Or do we then have to readjust again? Is tinkering this much going to get the best out of Tonali and Bruno?

All really good questions here which I’ve been mulling over too. Is he just seen as a different option to Wissa or is there a plan to play them together or was it a panic buy they took a punt on? It sounds like it wasn’t so begs the question that they must’ve had a clear idea what they wanted to do with him.

[Gallowgate Toon]

He's not a 10, he's a striker who just has an unorthodox game in the current climate. He's scored ~20 'top level' over the last year all inside the box. 

 

Second striker might be a better label as I do think he'd be a great combo with Wissa.

[Dokko]

12 hours ago, midds said:

Desperately needs someone playing ahead of him, he's not a 9. He's doing his best but he's not going to thrive being the tip of the front 3 at all, he needs options and movement ahead of him for him to be a threat

 

This. Wissa has a lot to answer for. 

[TRon]

10 hours ago, Aiston said:

Outside of Barnes vs Athletic, I struggle to think of many good chances we've actually created Woltemade so far.

 

I'd say maybe 3 or 4, which is completely unacceptable really.

 

 

How do you create chances for a striker who doesn't attack the box very often? He's a lovely player but I think we are going to need other forwards getting beyond him to make the most of his unique talent. It feels like Howe still hasn't figured this out either for what it's worth. 

[Jaqen]

Think Hall returning could help him a lot. Him providing width on that side should allow Barnes/Gordon play narrower and closer to him. Ideally with Ramsey playing advanced on that side too. 

 

[jackyboy]

I think he would be brilliant in a Beardsley type roll just off the CF

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, TRon said:

 

 

How do you create chances for a striker who doesn't attack the box very often? He's a lovely player but I think we are going to need other forwards getting beyond him to make the most of his unique talent. It feels like Howe still hasn't figured this out either for what it's worth. 

Aye.

 

I think the vision is 4-2-3-1. Wissa in place for tap ins, looking to get behind a defensive line. Woltemade supporting.

[r0cafella]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

Aye.

 

I think the vision is 4-2-3-1. Wissa in place for tap ins, looking to get behind a defensive line. Woltemade supporting.

I don't think it is, you play then both and you can't rotate. Your an injury away from your system imploding.