Nick Woltemade Talks About His Role At The Toon

With 10 goals already this season - 6 for Newcastle and 4 for Germany - and all from CF, it's interesting to hear Big Nick's take on his role in our 433 set up.

"At Stuttgart, I was dropping back. But now I am in the position of No 9 so most of the time with my back to the goal.

I lay the ball off for the guys or turn around into the sides so it is different. Eddie Howe wants me to drop deep and go into midfield and get the balls for the guys.

Every game at Newcastle the guys know me better. For the beginning we have done really well but I think we can do much better.

I can improve in the No 9 position in a 4-3-3. I don't know what it will be like when everybody is fit, like Wissa, maybe we will play together - I don't know.

I am feeling good in this position. It is different because I don't get as many balls. It is different from the Bundesliga in terms of style as the strikers are more involved in games, but in the Premier League, you are judged on goals. I think I have done well so far."

Three things stand out for me...

One; we know Woltemade also played as a 9 at times for Stuttgart and that even in that position he gained a reputation for his dribbling skills - often going past two or three players with ease.

Whilst we've definitely seen his close control and passing ability we've yet to see the mazy Beardsley like runs he is capable of.

That is probably down to receiving the ball far more with his back to goal and his lack of pace to get away from the quality CB's that most Prem teams have.

Two; from his comments it seems he doesn't have a great deal of experience in playing with his back to goal and that is an art that needs to be learned and perfected - even for a 6'6" guy like Big Nick.

It's surprising how few headers he wins from long balls even when he has a smaller CB - which almost all are - in the challenge. He has to learn how to anticipate the flight of the ball and then use his body to back into the CB to get himself into the best position.

Three; he is dead right that goals are what a ST is judged on in the Prem.

You don't pay £60/70/80/90/100M+ for a ST who, for whatever other qualities he has, can't hit the back of the net at least 15-20 times a season and preferably more.

There has been a ton of money wasted by clubs paying big fees for ST's - especially from outside of the Prem - who can't adjust to the pace, power and quality of our league.

"I think I have done well so far" Dead right you have Nick.

I find it baffling that some fans think that because he isn't a 'proper 9' and lacks pace that somehow he hasn't been an excellent signing.

He has done as well, if not better, than any of the other big fee ST signings of the summer.

Goals speak for themselves and in the toughest of leagues, the Prem, Woltemade has 4 goals in 8 games and a 'chance to conversion' ratio of 31% - an equal ratio to Erling Haaland.

For comparison in the Prem; Joao Perdro has 4 in 11 with a 21% conversion, Gyokeres 4 in 10 with a 20% conversion, Ekitike 3 in 10 with a 19% conversion. Isak and Sesko don't register in the top 30 goalscorers.

IMO he has done brilliantly after being flung straight into the side at a young age, with no pre-season, in a new league, playing a strange role, and with a big fee and expectation to cope with.

The great thing is... we haven't seen the best of Big Nick yet.

There is plenty more to come from Woltemade as he continues to integrate into the team, gets used to his role, and benefits from Eddie's ability to bring the best out of any player.

Don't bet against him winning the shoot out with Haaland on Saturday.

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