Woltemade & Wissa - Will They Play Together?

The Toon got a 'two for one' deal when we sold Isak for £125M and got Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa for £124M.

With Wissa now apparently finally on the way to recovery from his knee injury the rumour is he should be ready to make his debut against Everton on November 28th.

Whilst I doubt he will start and will no doubt be eased back in with sub appearances the question many fans are asking - and some are pushing for - is will Eddie change his favoured 433 and play both in a starting line up.

Pace, height, skill & power...

Big Nick has made the most of Wissa's absence by stepping straight into the team and scoring an impressive six goals; 4 in 8 Prem games, 1 in 4 CL and 1 in 2 EFL Cup. Add in three goals for Germany and that £69M fee is looking like money very well spent.

However despite those goals some fans, unbelievably, aren't rating him a success.

Granted they are in the minority; but they point to his lack of pace, not being a 'proper' CF, dropping too far back, and because of that not being in the box enough.

Despite ignoring his goals, heading ability and link up play... they do have a point.

Much of our previous forward play, especially on breaks, involved playing quick balls down the channels where Isak's pace could put him in on goal.

That isn't really an option with Big Nick and it's to his credit that he has racked up the goals while the team is still adjusting to a new attacking style.

What is even more impressive is that he has actually had very few chances and that has been repeated in his goal scoring performances for Germany.

However, add Wissa into the mix and there is pace in spades.

19 goals last season, all from open play, and here is a ST whose qualities perfectly compliment those that Woltemade isn't strong on - with pace and 'fox in the box' finishing being up there with the best in the Prem.

So... play both together and we have pace, height, skill and power in attack.

The question is - is that in Eddie's plans when Wissa is fully match fit?

Even if it is on a game by game basis ie., depending on the strength of the opposition and whether we are at home or away - it will mean a big change from 433.

It could be 4411 with Nick as a 10 and Wissa as the CF - but that means not playing Eddie's favoured two wingers, or playing them in a mid four and losing one of our main three mids.

We could go three at the back and play a mid five keeping Bruno. Tonali and Jo and playing wing backs - if so do we play Tino and Hall there for their defensive abilities or one or two of our wingers for their attacking threat?

There are other formation options including playing Tonali in front of a back four or three.

Whatever Eddie decides it's a big decision.

Rotate Woltemade and Wissa and that's a lot of money on the bench.

Play both and it's a big formation and tactical change that is unlikely to gel straight away - especially if it is used on a game by game basis.

Those decisions are what managers are paid big dosh to make - and get right.

What do you think Eddie should do?

Let's hear your opinions in the comment section below.

Are you a member who hasn't posted yet? Let's hear what you have to say!

Not a member & want to post comments?

Click the ORANGE box at the top right of this page and Sign Up!

Last Post It's Time To Stop Mourning

Next Post Elliott Anderson Transfer News

Image courtesy of the Evening Chronicle