As the rest of the Premier League learns about the German striker’s skills and shortcomings, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has asked supporters to exercise patience.
After joining Newcastle in the northeast for £69 million ($94 million) in preseason from Stuttgart, Woltemade had a strong start to his English football career, scoring six goals in his first 11 games.
However, the 23-year-old hasn’t scored in his last 12 games, and his goals have stopped coming.
Howe remarked of Woltemade in the lead-up to Saturday’s game at home against seventh-place Brentford, four spots ahead of Newcastle in the standings, “He is young, (it’s) a new league.”
“He got off to a great start, and I believe everyone anticipated that to continue, but even though we really wanted that to happen for him, I think that is really hard to do.
advertisements by “He is learning to deal with the speed, intensity, and physicality of the Premier League.”
“Of course, teams are also getting to know him, and I believe that’s his toughest obstacle. Teams are aware of his style and goals, so he must come up with solutions in a different approach.
There is work for him to do since you need to stay ahead of the other teams, but I believe he has approached everything with such a positive attitude and style. That, in my opinion, is the most important thing he can do to succeed.
Newcastle enters Saturday’s game after Manchester City defeated them 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-final on Wednesday, ending the League Cup holders’ attempt to defend their first major domestic championship in 70 years.
Following the loss at the Etihad Stadium, there was a lot of conjecture on social media that 48-year-old Howe had done all he could to lead Newcastle, with some even suggesting he may succeed Thomas Tuchel as England manager following the World Cup.
Newcastle, on the other hand, is only seven points outside of the top five and is still in the FA Cup and the Champions League, where they will play Azerbaijani team Qarabag over two legs later this month for a spot in the round of sixteen.
In response to all of the criticism regarding his future at St. James’ Park, Howe stated: “I’m surprised by it. Every day, I give the football team, all of the players, and the staff my everything. To motivate the squad to win games, I strive to be the best version of myself.
“That’s my only thought. I strive to plan and prepare for the club’s future in every way, but I don’t have a tendency to look too far ahead. My personal future isn’t that important.
“Who knows? I have absolutely no notion how long I will be here. Until I am instructed otherwise, I simply attempt to do my best every day.
