Eddie Howe has backed Nick Woltemade to score goals for Newcastle United but has insisted his side need to provide better service.
Woltemade marked his Newcastle debut with a goal in the 1-0 win over Wolves earlier this month, but endured a frustrating afternoon at Bournemouth on Sunday.
The German failed to record a single effort on goal on the south coast and completed just one of his three dribbles. The goalless draw was Newcastle’s third consecutive stalemate in away games this season.
Despite the draw, Howe said he saw plenty of positives from Woltemade. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie with Bradford City, he said Newcastle need to improve the service provided to the summer signing.
“I thought overall he had a decent game. Some of his link play in the build-up was really good. He was a focal point that we needed and enabled us to get higher up the pitch. As a team we didn’t function particularly well in the attacking half. There’s no denying that, we weren’t creating chances for him.
As a centre-forward you are reliant on that service and we didn’t provide him with enough. We have to take responsibility for that and try to work to put that right but I see no reason why we won’t score goals.”
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