Newcastle striker Woltemade has been ‘first class’ says Howe
The £69m signing has started well on Tyneside
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says there is more to come from record signing Nick Woltemade but he has been delighted with the striker’s start in the Premier League.
With some big money signings this summer struggling to make an impact at their new cluubs, and fellow Newcastle signing Yoane Wissa yet to play for the Magpies, Woltemade has shone.
Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge labelled Newcastle “idiots” for shelling out £69m on the tall forward but he has scored six goals in nine starts for his new club.
“We are really pleased with Nick,” said Howe.
“On and off the pitch he has been first class. The way he has conducted himself, the way he has handled the move, the way he has embraced his team-mates.
“His team ethics are excellent. He’s got an ability to score goals, an ability to be in the right position. Technically he’s very good.
“We still have to bring out more in his game and help him in any way we can, but the early signs are really positive.
“His challenge is consistency and long-term success because teams will obviously work out plans for him and he’s got to continue to find a way to score goals.”
The Magpies go into this weekend’s trip to West Ham on the back of three straight wins in all competitions and Howe wants his side to push on.
“It is only with back-to-back wins, if you look at the league table, that we are going to propel ourselves back up,” he said.
“It’s so tight. There are a lot of teams congested around where we are and you are looking for one positive result to try and elevate you. So this is a big game for us.
“All games in the Premier League are important, but as we go to the next international break the next two [at West Ham and Brentford] are huge.”