The striker’s absence is becoming more of a problem as every game goes by
Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Yoane Wissa’s injury – and subsequent absence – is now becoming a serious issue for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United. If it doesn’t get resolved soon, the repercussions could be disastrous.
Wissa has yet to kick a ball for Newcastle since his £55million move from Brentford. No one seems to fully know when he will, either.
This is not the player’s fault, of course. Injuries can’t be predicted or stopped, they are a part of football. One thing that can be addressed, however, is how a club reacts to them.
Newcastle are being patient with the DR Congo international, and rightly so. Knee injuries are a tricky thing and if the rehab isn’t done properly, it can lead to complications and setbacks further down the line.
Unfortunately, though, Newcastle are suffering now.
Wissa was supposed to be the ‘Premier League-ready’ striker Newcastle needed. They’d looked at Jorgen Strand Larsen, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and missed out on them for a variety of reasons. But with Alexander Isak on his way out of St James’ Park, they needed someone who was as near a replica as possible.
Wissa’s attributes are similar to what Isak brought. He can drift wide, has pace and power to stretch defences and run the channels, but he also has that killer instinct inside the 18-yard box. Nineteen goals for Brentford last season was testimony to his quality.
Given the lateness of the deal, Eddie Howe was desperate for someone to hit the ground running. Every day without Wissa illustrates more and more why that was so important.
That’s not to downplay Nick Woltemade’s contribution. The £69m man has been a big hit since he arrived and has bagged some useful and eye-catching goals. Leading the line, however, does not come naturally to him. The big German’s style of play is less suited to the high energy, pressing, all-action, intense identity Howe has implemented so successfully in recent years.
It has meant Newcastle having to adapt their game and tactics. Woltemade gave fans a little peek behind the curtain himself in midweek when talking about what Howe is asking him to do.
The striker said: “At Stuttgart, I was dropping. 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.
“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.”
No one knows, at the minute, Nick. That’s one of the problems. Even when he returns, Wissa will need time to regain match sharpness and then he will no doubt be off to the African Cup of Nations for a month with DR Congo. Just at the time United probably need him most.
Newcastle need some variety in their attack, a way to find goals and create more chances – Howe admitted as much at the Foundation dinner earlier this week. Playing Woltemade and Wissa together is an interesting concept and would again mean a tactical tweak – but something has to change quickly this season.
At Brentford, it was blindingly obvious that the home side had figured out the best way to play against Woltemade. They knew he wasn’t going to stretch the defence by running in behind and were happy to let him come to the ball, which in turn allowed them to squeeze high and suffocate Newcastle’s midfield.
Other Premier League sides have twigged too. At St James’ Park, with Newcastle on the front foot, it may be easier to compensate but certainly on their travels it’s becoming a huge issue. Newcastle are two points above the relegation zone as a result.
Howe is too good a coach not to find a solution. Whether that involves his £55m frontman, however, remains to be seen.
