I want more from Nick Woltemade - Eddie Howe

Nick Woltemade's debut season at Newcastle United has been one almighty mixed bag.

After four goals in his first five Premier League outings for the club, our £69m summer signing flew out of the traps, stepping into Alexander Isak's shoes immediately as he found the net against Wolves, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Brighton.

Since then, he's scored in just two of his next 26 league games, put through his own net in December's defeat to Sunderland, struggled for starts and often played in a deeper role when he has featured.

Sunday saw the 24-year-old start his first league game since March's home defeat to Sunderland, albeit with mixed success.

Howe assesses Woltemade's display  

Eddie Howe wanted to see more from Nick Woltemade following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Howe admitted that the German international is still developing his relationship with Will Osula, who he played just behind, but wanted to see our club record signing get on the ball more.

The boss felt Big Nick "didn't get involved as much as we wanted him to" in a frustrating first half, believing we became more of a goal threat in the second 45. Not a glowing endorsement of Woltemade, considering he was taken off on the hour mark!

“It wasn’t a dramatic change of system from Brighton (3-1 win). It was the same shape, but obviously, for Nick, it was probably one of a handful of times that he’s played that role for us from the start. He played with Will, and they haven’t played too much together either.

“I thought there were some promising bits for Nick, although he probably didn’t get involved as much as we wanted him to in that first half. Certainly, technically, I think we need to see his best qualities. We need to see him on the ball.

“I thought in the second half, we did really well as a team. We improved and became more of a goal threat as the game went on.”

The challenge is building Woltemade back up after a tough few months, whether it be his role in the side, his relationship with his teammates and/or his confidence levels. 

The Big Nick dilemma 

There is no doubt in my mind that Nick Woltemade has to be played further up the pitch. 

He clearly has bags of technical ability, a big frame and has been praised by Howe for his ability to play in different roles, but it feels a waste of his talents in and around the box to have him dropping back into midfield.

When you look at his towering headers against Wolves and Arsenal, that stunning flick at Brighton and the way he brought others into play in that early-season win away to Everton, it makes you wonder why Howe has stopped playing him up top.

One explanation is his lack of pace and limited pressing ability, then you have Will Osula's recent form, with the Dane justifying his selection in recent weeks with three goals in his last five starts.

Woltemade's Newcastle career can be revived with a strong pre-season, some TLC over the summer and a run of starts in his best position, but it remains to be seen if the former Stuttgart man will stick around or be sold in a move we may live to regret.