Nick Woltemade struggles to fill Alexander Isak’s place at Newcastle – Hits and misses | Football news

Woltemade is a concern for Newcastle

Nick Woltemade made an immediate impact in September, scoring his first goal for Newcastle against Wolves. He left Molineux four months later knowing he had to beat the bottom of the Premier League again.

Two headlines in the first half are wrong. The second one wasn’t great, he did well to just go off target, but the first one should have been converted by the 6ft 6in striker.

His frustration was palpable as he took his place on the pitch after his second-half exit and with just two goals in his last 13 games, he will understandably be wondering how he can get back to scoring goals.

Woltemade’s Newcastle teammates are playing their part. There were a total of 34 crosses sent by visitors on Sunday. But, as Sky Sports Pundit Jamie Redknapp revealed afterwards that Newcastle’s attackers – including Woltemade – were on their heels.

Replacing Alexander Isak as Newcastle’s top striker is no easy task and, at 23, Woltemade has time on his side. But right now Newcastle need more from their big man to continue their push for European competitions and trophies.
Peter Smith

Where was Malen when Villa needed him?

On the same day struggling Aston Villa fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Everton, Donyell Malen scored on his Roma debut.

Questions had already been raised about his exit but the club cleared him to leave on Friday, despite being second in goals scored in all competitions this season, and described as a “bare bones” loss by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp two days later against the Toffees.

Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers endured difficult afternoons at Villa Park and Emery’s options on the bench were limited.

Evans Guessand, yet to score a goal in the Premier League, was brought on following John McGinn’s injury in the first half and marked the only striker the Villa manager had. But the problems don’t end there.

McGinn will join Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana on the sidelines through injury.

Emery’s post-match interview appeared to be more than just frustration following the defeat. Was this another case of a manager speaking publicly to convey a message to his superiors?
Lewis Jones

Anderson-esque authority: Garner Villa Park management

Everton were organised, aggressive and composed in their victory over Aston Villa and at the heart of it all was James Garner. He combined phases and broke Villa’s momentum whenever it threatened to build.

There was a striking resemblance to another midfielder currently enjoying his time in the spotlight. Look at Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest and you see the same profile of the player. Anderson’s latest foray into the England set-up is built on those qualities – the ability to influence games without always seeking the limelight. Garner, in this evidence, is cut from the same cloth.

England’s midfield picture is improving. New faces appear, new profiles trusted by Thomas Tuchel, who was present at Villa Park. Anderson has already forced his way into the conversation with games full of purpose and personality. Garner’s display here felt like a statement that he belonged in that same conversation.
Lewis Jones

Wolves no longer look like a team at rock bottom

Results had already been poor for Wolves before Rob Edwards took over on November 12, but they quickly got worse. They lost each of their first seven and scored only three goals. The vision was blurry.

In fairness, the outlook is still bleak. Wolves are 14 points adrift of safety, with 16 games remaining, after drawing at home to Newcastle. Getting out of this crisis will take the mother of all changes, but, if the last few weeks are anything to go by, they will give everything they have.

The numbers in the chart below show the vastly different offensive numbers from Edwards’ first seven games in charge compared to his last four.

They were unbeaten in all competitions prior to the visit of the Magpies and, obviously buoyed by that run, never once looked like a side sitting at the bottom of the Premier League pile. There was confidence going forward, tenacity at the back and, most importantly, the crowd was with the players. It took 85 minutes for Newcastle to score their first goal.

Another point on the board means it will now take just four more than Derby’s infamous tally of 11. Any concerns about being hit will be quickly dispelled, but what happens next is anyone’s guess.
Dan Long