'I want more': Eddie Howe addresses big Nick Woltemade concern after Newcastle United defeat
Nick Woltemade grabbed his second Newcastle United goal on Sunday, nodding home from close range after a well-worked corner routine.
For a player who claims he's better with the ball at his feet, that's two headed goals now for the big man.
Woltemade had another good game for Newcastle, showcasing his ability on the ball and his ability to come deep to create chances for other players.
However, that's a part of his game that Eddie Howe would rather he left to other players so that he could be in the box waiting to pounce.
Eddie Howe wants more goalmouth chances for Nick Woltemade
Speaking to the media after the game yesterday (via Newcastle World), Eddie Howe spoke about how Woltemade is currently feeding off scraps and having to chase the ball to make his own chances.
“Yes, today would have been another great learning experience for him because the speed of that game, the physicality of the game, that's as tough as you'll get.
“We know Arsenal are a very strong team, set plays, loads of different facets of their game require physicality. Ours is very similar. He'll leave going, ‘it's quick, it's strong, and you have to bring that yourself to be successful’. And I thought his goal was a brilliant example of what he can be.
“I don’t think as a team, we particularly fed him well today, I think it was another huge number of crosses going in the box. What he did feed off, I thought he did well.
“Every game is different. But yeah, of course, today, again, I'm looking at that going, if I'm Nick, I want more. Not necessarily from the team, because he plays an important role in that himself, but I want more goalmouth action. I'm going to thrive and live off that.
“Whatever bits he had today, he converted, so I think that's something for me to reflect on. But I think whenever you play Arsenal, especially in the way that they played today, it's not going to be a game where you're going to get an abundance of chances.
“It's going to be a day where you have to take whatever comes your way and you have to make sure you help the team play better. I thought he did that when I was on the pitch and I've got no complaints with his performance.”
Nick Woltemade looks pretty settled at Premier League level already
We thought it would take Woltemade a bit of time to settle into life in the Premier League, but he looks to have adapted pretty quickly.
He didn't look out of place up against the experienced Arsenal back line and held his own against some top-quality defenders.
With Yoane Wissa getting closer to a return, Woltemade looks set to make things very difficult for the former Brentford man to break into the team.
