Alan Shearer didn’t mince his words after the full-time whistle yesterday, posting on X that we ‘offered nothing up front at all’ and were ‘miles off it’ in an ‘awful’ derby display at Sunderland.
We were pitiful in yet another dismal away performance, this time against our North East rivals, as they secured bragging rights and moved four points ahead of us in the Premier League.
Speaking about our issues in more depth on the Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer asked one big question of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle: where has the energy, intensity and pressing gone?
All of these things have been absent far too often this season, and our former No 9 fears that Woltemade’s lack of pace or energy is limiting our ability to press from the front and go after teams.
“It is a difficult problem that Newcastle have with him. Technically very good, ball at his feet very good, albeit he wasn’t today. But he does pose a problem for Newcastle because he can’t press.
“Everything about Newcastle’s success over the recent years that Eddie’s brought into it is about energy, high press, not letting the opposition play.
“Did you see us today? Sat back, 4-5-1, no pressure on the ball, nothing. And that’s a bit of a problem for Newcastle because he [Woltemade] hasn’t got great energy. He’s not quick. He’s got other strengths that he brings. But everything about Newcastle’s success hasn’t been about that.
“It’s been about energy and about high press. And he can’t do that. And that’s one of the reasons, I’m not saying it’s the full reason, but that’s one of the reasons why Newcastle have struggled away from home.”
I take Shearer’s point to a degree, as Woltemade is a very different profile to Alexander Isak and limits our ability to play that same fast-paced style.
However, I don’t think Woltemade is THE problem in this department, especially when it was his pressing that won us a penalty in the Champions League at Leverkusen last week.
It’s a collective effort and our all round energy levels as a team haven’t been good enough, with Howe’s set up and approach also holding us back in games we should be looking to control or impose ourselves in given our superior quality.
Intensity and pressing was absent on Sunday, but sitting deep and hoping to steal a goal on the break put us on the back foot immediately.
Champions League, Premier League and Cups is too much currently. Not saying throw them but it needs addressing. It’s a hell of a lot of games to play if you’re just picking the same side week in week out more or less.
Tactics were way off on Sunday and the players didn’t show up at all. That’s a separate issue but I don’t think it’s a persistent issue. Consistency is an issue but that can be partly explained by the first point.
Choices to me are:
1. Slow down and focus on one at a time. Either cups, Champions League or Premier League title. Until we have essentially two first teams to do it all. I don’t think this is the popular option with fans or the board understandably.
or
2. Really, really sort out the recruitment side of things so that come summer the same mistakes aren’t being made. At least the ones in our control, can’t account for t it’s like Isak.
Need two first teams is the bottom line. No one, NO ONE can compete well in all of these without a big enough squad to rotate.
I don’t think it’s doable in the January window if I’m honest. Think it’s still doable to get champions league football but we need to kick our a rses into gear. Cup retention is doable but we’re making it harder for ourselves than it needs to be. Plus it’s a cup so nothing is ever guaranteed. FA cup, wait and see how it goes.
Hddie Eowe(Quote)
No tactical nouse from Howe and the coaches, Howe’s choice Ramsey, Elanga and Woltemade as Summer signings and they don’t fit the system he wants to play!!
Wissa might possibly fit into that system but hasn’t been available.
Joseph(Quote)
The really awful thing is that the Newcastle fans didn’t turn up either. They were silent all through the game. Ok they would have had difficulty being heard but they didn’t even try. My son was sat just round from then and he said they looked at if it was lost even before kickoff. I was further round and never even knew they were there, no noise at all ever.
michael wylde(Quote)
I used to love Shearer but he has become a bitter and twisted old man. He seems to forget his short but disastrous foray into management at Newcastle. He must also have forgotten his absolutely disastrous attempt at hitting an open goal when taking a penalty against Sunderland some years ago. But now he singles out one player who made a similar one-off mistake and heaps criticism on him. Disgraceful. Alan could play but what he actually knows about football could be written on the back of a stamp with lots of space left. Stop trashing our team. Or do you really wear that hat Alan?
Paddy Morley(Quote)
Mike(Quote)
I think
It’s a combo of not enough time to train for games , trying to fit new players into an old system instead of creating a new system for players , tactically terrible at times and buying players who get injured wissa elanga Ramsey ., none of this is Woltemade fault as without his goals we would be in relegation waters ., it’s Howe’s signings tactics and system that is the problem..
Mike(Quote)
Shearer’s absolutely bang on! Woltemalde is a likeable character, technically good, and has dome well converting his chances when they come along. However His lack of pace and physicality is clear to see, i fear he is not the answer for this Newcastle team now or in future seasons. Too often he has gone missing and struggles to influence the game, he frequently loses the ball due to defenders pressure. It’s almost like the Premier league is too fast and physical for him.
Mark(Quote)