Nick Woltemade

[John P]

I liked him so much more in this role. He just can't get on the ball enough as a number 9 in our system, but he's got such obvious quality when he gets on it and has players around him. Wouldn't be the first time a player takes a season to acclimatise, and I reckon he's got it in him

[joeyt]

Good game, bad kneeslide

[Nucasol]

Just now, joeyt said:

Good game, bad kneeslide

Blame the turf, Abraham’s was equally shit on the same spot.

[Holloway]

1 hour ago, TheBrownBottle said:

If we’re going to be playing 4-3-3 most weeks then we should. 

[Holloway]

he can't possibly be integrated into our system, we'd have to change the whole set up, man

[NEEJ]

45 minutes ago, toon25 said:

Do folk remember where he played for Germany in the U21 Euros? Was he a CF?

I think he played in nets, IIRC. 

 

Spoiler

SS according to transfermarkt 

 

 

 

Edited February 14 by NEEJ

[M1tche]

Much better overall game for him, loved how much more he was on the ball, and it seemed that because he was on it more he didnt try to do too much once he had it. 

 

Classy performance, looking forward to seeing more of that

[Kanj]

Loved every phase of his game today. Nearly got his head to a cross to kill it off but then smacked in the winner. Love it. Really good lad. In the TNT interview he was acutely aware he wasn’t playing well. So nice to see him happy about how he did today. 

[Fenham Mag]

That GQ photoshoot has done his confidence huge favours. 

[Mountain]

My GOAT 

[Whitley mag]

Undoubtedly his best role at the moment playing behind a striker with pace. Looks like he can make things happen especially when we’re dominating possession.

 

Still think he can play as a lone striker but needs raw pace either side, think alongside Gordon and Elanga he represents our best attack at the moment.

[Mole]

I haven't watched the game but I honestly think 4231 is for the best regardless of whether he plays behind a striker or as the striker himself.

 

Don't feel like 433 works for him or at least it doesn't with the profile of players we have, maybe it would with very different options but that would require some major surgery that the current rules definitely don't allow for.

[toon25]

18 minutes ago, Mole said:

I haven't watched the game but I honestly think 4231 is for the best regardless of whether he plays behind a striker or as the striker himself.

 

Don't feel like 433 works for him or at least it doesn't with the profile of players we have, maybe it would with very different options but that would require some major surgery that the current rules definitely don't allow for.

 

Without Bruno we're going to have to do something different 

[LFEE]

Pleased to see him far more aggressive it felt on the pitch though not up against the most aggressive of CH pairings. Still no goal attempts or looking likely 11v11. Think

10v11 might fool some as well never normally be that dominant on the ball. Got a bit lucky with the finish but pleased for him and hope it gives him a boost.

 

24 now. Not so much a kid anymore.

[lovejoy]

13 minutes ago, LFEE said:

Pleased to see him far more aggressive it felt on the pitch though not up against the most aggressive of CH pairings. Still no goal attempts or looking likely 11v11. Think

10v11 might fool some as well never normally be that dominant on the ball. Got a bit lucky with the finish but pleased for him and hope it gives him a boost.

 

24 now. Not so much a kid anymore.

He was up against the midfield mainly, particularly first half. He did well, I agree he looked more aggressive.

 

 

[healthyaddiction]

17 minutes ago, LFEE said:

Pleased to see him far more aggressive it felt on the pitch though not up against the most aggressive of CH pairings. Still no goal attempts or looking likely 11v11. Think

10v11 might fool some as well never normally be that dominant on the ball. Got a bit lucky with the finish but pleased for him and hope it gives him a boost.

 

24 now. Not so much a kid anymore.

Dion, is that you?

[janpawel]

Amadou Onana is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world when he played well, so well done Nick

[HMSIllustrious]

Interesting article about Nick, Sandro, Eddie and the team from the German Kicker 

 

 

After 14 competitive matches without a goal, Nick Woltemade has scored again for Newcastle United. In the FA Cup away victory against Aston Villa, the German played in an unusual role and significantly motivated his teammate Sandro Tonali.

Woltemade took advantage of a catastrophic misplaced pass from opponent Lamare Bogarde in the 88th minute to secure the away victory for the Magpies in the fourth round of the FA Cup. This was an important moment for the German national player, who had been waiting for his next goal since December 20 (scoring twice in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea).
"Personally, I had a long phase where I didn't score and didn't play well. And of course, I'm happy about my performance, my goal, and our overall performance," Woltemade expressed his relief on Saturday evening.

After having only come on as a substitute in the Premier League recently, coach Eddie Howe had something special planned for the 24-year-old's birthday: Behind the also tall striker William Osula, Woltemade played as a sort of second striker, sometimes even dropping back into midfield. This tactical adjustment was duly noted by his teammate Sandro Tonali. "I'm very happy for this big man," said the Italian, who was undoubtedly impressed by Woltemade in this unusual role: "He played like an experienced midfielder. He played very well and deserves everything, really."

The fact that the two Magpies players were asked to come for an interview together after the match was not a coincidence. Unlike Woltemade, whose profile is obviously much more focused on scoring goals, the defensive midfielder found the net for the first time since September 8, when he scored for Italy against Israel (5-4) in World Cup qualifying—twice, in fact.

It was indeed a long goal drought, which his German teammate had reminded him of beforehand—with success, as it turned out. "We always sit next to each other on the bus and at meals, and I told Sandro, 'You never score goals,'" Woltemade recalled with a grin. For the second time, the teasing from the former Stuttgart player proved effective, as the striker had also anticipated the first Newcastle goals from Malick Thiaw in the 4-1 win against Everton at the end of November. "We always joke about him not being able to score headers, and then today he scores two headers," Woltemade said back then.

About two and a half months later, Woltemade now drew a positive conclusion: "I find it crazy because we always said it was Malick—and now he’s scoring goals. Now I said it to Sandro—and now he scores too." With the away win at Villa Park, Newcastle not only secured their second consecutive victory after the 2-1 against Tottenham but also booked a ticket to the round of 16. This was an important result for Howe and his team, despite a performance from the officials that left much to be desired, as they could not rely on the video assistant referee in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

"Referees don't make decisions intentionally; it's what they think at the time. But without VAR, I think there were many mistakes today," summarized the Magpies coach, referring primarily to the offside goal for 0-1 and a non-given hand penalty—Lucas Digne clearly blocked the ball with his arms inside the box, which incorrectly resulted in a free kick.

Starting from the next round of the cup, video evidence will be used in all Premier League stadiums. This is a relief for Howe, who believes that while the system sometimes dampens certain emotions, it would have been helpful on Saturday evening: "I wished for VAR at the first goal against us, and probably also during the course of this game."

[The Butcher]

Didn't watch the game last night, but really happy he scored

[Checko]

13 hours ago, Yorkie said:

I've been a really harsh critic of his this season and have refused to accept that he's just out of position. But that was a compelling argument right there that he is so. He did so much good on the ball and without the pressure of being the striker it was generally just very positive. And he scored anyway.

 

If that's anything to go by there's a future for him in this league I'm that withdrawn position. Whether that's with Eddie Howe is possibly another question.

Feels like he definitely prefers the deeper role. I can still see him still suiting the main striker position provided we play more of a 4231 where he has a No. 10 who'll make forward runs and look to stretch play when Big Nick comes deep.

 

Genuinely think Barnes might suit that role really well tbh: his off the ball runs are terrific and giving him a bit more freedom to find the best position could be devastating. Plus he's got a great shot from range so getting him more central might give him more shooting opportunities.

 

Can see Gordon cutting from the left, playing that slide rule pass he has into Big Nick's feet, Big Nick laying it off to an advancing CM who looks to play Barnes through as a potent combo. Bit like the third goal vs Benfica.

[duo]

Needs to shot more rather than always looking for the pass and I think it'll come in time

[J7]

Thought the was good yesterday and although he did come a little deep at times, the criticism on the BBC was a bit strong from Shearer and Murphy. Still pretending he was a number 9. Rooney made a better point after the game regarding coaching him.. Easy to forget, although 24 now, he’s not far over a year into first team football.

[TRon]

Still not sure where to play him tbh. He's got great feet but not convinced he's a midfielder, so he has to work on his game as a striker for me. I think he can still become a very good striker, but don't see how he will ever fit the way we play unless we switch from a high pressing game to a more measured possession game. 

[Erikse]

3 hours ago, Whitley mag said:

Undoubtedly his best role at the moment playing behind a striker with pace. Looks like he can make things happen especially when we’re dominating possession.

 

Still think he can play as a lone striker but needs raw pace either side, think alongside Gordon and Elanga he represents our best attack at the moment.

 

This could have worked if the wingers were playing narrower. Problem with that has been that we usually play with very wide wingers, whos job is to whip it into the box. That way we don't really see the linkup with Big Nick, that could result in our wingers scoring goals.

 

 

Edited February 15 by Erikse

[Chicken Dancer]

Blows my mind there’s people writing him off - got mates who constantly tell me how shit he is.

 

If you think he’s shit at football then I’m sorry to say don’t know football. We may never see the best of him - who knows - but I’d be trying all I can to utilise him. 
 

Wonderful, silky footballer. Right up my street.