Why Newcastle United's goalscoring problem is much more complex than it seems

"Alexander Isak's departure has obviously had a huge impact on their output and potential up front, and the clear contrast in style with his replacement, Nick Woltemade, has been problematic. Newcastle have drawn three successive Premier League away games 0-0, but Sunday's gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at St James' Park arguably did just as much to illustrate the depth of difficulty Eddie Howe is facing as he tries to get his team firing."

"Naturally, Woltemade has been in sharp focus. The 23-year-old German striker is Newcastle's record signing, a title he took from Isak as he replaced him in the team, and a lot rests on him proving a success on Tyneside. His unique playing style and differences to Isak have been debated in detail, and there was a consensus that he wasn't going to replicate the incredible impact the Swede had before him. Nobody in Newcastle's price range was ever going to do that, though."

"While it is true Woltemade's style has caused Newcastle to find new ways of attacking he prefers to drop deep and link play while Isak's ability to run in behind is frightening it is also true he has scored his team's only winning goal in the league this season, and the opener against Arsenal. Crucially, he has scored more goals than Isak at the same stage last season."

Alexander Isak's departure significantly reduced Newcastle's attacking output and potential up front. The contrast between Isak's running-in-behind threat and Nick Woltemade's tendency to drop deep and link play has required tactical adjustments. Newcastle recorded three successive Premier League away 0-0 draws and then lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal after conceding two late goals from a 1-0 lead. Woltemade is Newcastle's record signing and carries expectations to justify the investment. Woltemade has scored key goals, including the opener against Arsenal, and has more goals than Isak at the same stage last season. Six Premier League games have produced only four goals for Newcastle.

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