It is easy to see why Newcastle United fans would want Eddie Howe to play Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa together.
For large spells of Newcastle United’s defeat to Manchester United, they just did not look like scoring.
That has been the case for several games this season, particularly away from home.
What is all the more frustrating is the fact that, for Howe, it seems to be a case of Woltemade or Wissa as the team’s central striker.
Who is most responsible for Newcastle United’s struggles this season?
Clearly, Wissa’s injury has not helped matters, but fans will surely be keen to see them both together.
On paper, Woltemade looks capable of playing as a No.10, while Wissa could feasibly play as the striker ahead of him.
Obviously, it’s not a system that needs to be used in every game, but it could be something that helps Newcastle freshen things up.
What Eddie Howe has said about Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade playing together
Recently, the Newcastle United manager was asked whether the two could form an important partnership.
Wissa is excited to play with Woltemade but, thus far, they haven’t appeared on the same pitch together.
Before the draw with Chelsea in which Woltemade scored twice, Howe was asked about the prospect.
While Howe did not rule out the prospect entirely, he did admit that he was wary of the team losing control in other areas of the pitch.
“Of course you can adapt any system to any two players, but I think what is really important, or if and when you play two strikers, you don’t lose control of the pitch in other areas and you have your two strikers starved of the ball,” he said during his pre-match press conference.
“So, I think it’s a delicate balance for us, two outstanding players that you’d love to see on the pitch together, of course, but not to the detriment of the team.”
The most natural system in which to deploy the two would be a 4-2-3-1, thereby losing a central midfielder from Howe’s usual formation of 4-3-3.
That could expose overloads in central midfield and put more pressure on the defence.
Still, what makes it so frustrating is that Newcastle have often looked like they lack any kind of control this season when they play three across the middle of the park.
How many games Nick Woltemade has played as No.10
So much has been made about Woltemade’s impressive playmaking ability, with the German even compared to England captain Harry Kane at times in that respect.
Kane isn’t just a brilliant striker, he’s capable of creating goals for his teammates and has racked up 147 assists during his career.
Even Woltemade’s biggest supporter would struggle to argue that he’s on Kane’s level but it’s easy to see why there has been a comparison made.
I’m fed up of hearing that Newcastle United are on the right track this season – prove me wrong! 🤔
Can’t see out a lead. Can’t come from behind. Can’t win away from home.
Can someone tell me what I’m supposed to be applauding?
The Newcastle star perhaps lacks the killer pass Kane has in his locker but his ability to drop deep and manipulate the ball in tight areas is without question.
Interestingly, 36 of Woltemade’s 183 recorded career appearances have come as a No.10, or support striker.
Howe might be wise to give him a 37th.
Newcastle will be expected to dominate the ball against Burnley on Tuesday, anyway.
This Newcastle team look like they are going stale. Switching up the formation, at least in some games, could be a way of saving a season that appears to be drifting away.
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