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Woltemade’s goal drought sparks concern

Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade began his tenure with promise, but his trajectory has since taken a notable turn, prompting questions about his current status.

Since making the move from Stuttgart to Newcastle United last summer, Nick Woltemade has netted nine goals for his new team.

As Nick Woltemade exited the Stadium of Light, his cap was pulled down over his eyes.

However, at 6ft 6in tall, the Newcastle United forward was still a conspicuous figure, making it difficult for him to go unnoticed.

The Wear-Tyne derby two months prior was a notable example, where Woltemade's own goal proved to be the deciding factor.

In December, Woltemade's unintentional header had given Sunderland a 1-0 win, and as he boarded the team bus after the match, he received a warm reception from the Sunderland supporters, who applauded and chanted "Hero! Hero! Hero!" in his direction, in stark contrast to the booing directed at his teammates.

The team may have needed a brief period to recover from such a setback.

However, Woltemade bounced back swiftly, netting two goals in the first half against Chelsea in his subsequent Newcastle appearance, which took place less than a week later.

This demonstrated his ability to cope with adversity, a trait Woltemade has had to rely on recently, given his drought in front of goal for Eddie Howe's team since December.

Newcastle's head coach, Eddie Howe, noted, "He began his tenure very strongly, and naturally, everyone anticipated that he would maintain this level of performance, but as we all know, sustaining that momentum can be extremely challenging."

What factors have contributed to the decline in goal-scoring form for the German forward?

Eddie Howe has stated that he would consider stepping down if he no longer felt suited to his position.

Despite acknowledging that his performance is not meeting expectations, the pressure on Howe's role has become a topic of discussion.

This is a concern that would have been unthinkable in the recent past.

Woltemade's impressive start, with six goals from six shots on target, including notable scores against Arsenal, Wolves, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Brighton, had raised the bar for the team.

The £69m summer transfer from Stuttgart to the club had yielded immediate results, with Woltemade himself expressing surprise at the speed and impact of his adaptation.

The German player's confidence grew to the point where he entered each match with a strong expectation of scoring.

A notable example of Woltemade's proficiency was his penalty kick against Nottingham Forest in October, which contributed to a 2-0 win and left even those familiar with him impressed by the ease with which he scored.

It was unrealistic to expect Woltemade to maintain his high scoring rate, especially considering the team's reliance on him during Yoane Wissa's recovery from a knee injury.

Although Wissa's return has alleviated some pressure, both players are currently experiencing difficulties in front of goal, coinciding with a demanding sequence of matches.

The congested schedule of club and international fixtures has restricted Woltemade's opportunities to work extensively with the coaching staff on the training pitch, due to the limited time available.

Newcastle's adjustment to life after Alexander Isak, who made the switch to Liverpool last summer, has been a significant challenge, marked by internal frustration as the team navigates a new dynamic without the distinctive striker.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Nick Woltemade remains composed despite his ongoing struggle to find the back of the net.

Characteristically, Woltemade's primary focus is on helping Newcastle regain their winning form, which has eluded them in recent weeks, with only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.

An analysis of Nick Woltemade's performance against Brentford, as illustrated by his touch map, reveals a player who defies traditional striker conventions.

Notably, Woltemade is still just 23 years old, a fact that can be overlooked amidst the team's current performance.

Woltemade's career took a significant turn in December 2024 when he became a regular starter for Stuttgart, a role he held until his move to Newcastle a few months later, following the club's unsuccessful pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, and Benjamin Sesko.

Prior to joining Newcastle, Woltemade had no experience playing outside his home country, and thus had to rapidly adjust to the Premier League's distinct pace and physical demands, as well as a system that had been designed for a striker with a different playing style, one who could lead the press and make runs behind the defense.

A notable aspect of Woltemade's recent performance is that he has been awarded only four fouls in his last 11 top-tier matches, a statistic that highlights the differences between the Bundesliga and the Premier League.

As the season has progressed, Premier League analysts and defenders have had more opportunities to study Woltemade's gameplay, allowing them to develop strategies to counter his impact on the Newcastle team, a task that was more challenging earlier in the campaign.

On several occasions, Woltemade has been absent from the box, lacking the instincts of a traditional goal-scorer, and has also found himself isolated upfront, with insufficient support from his teammates, a situation that can be attributed to Newcastle's tactical setup.

Woltemade's average of 1.9 shots per game in the league this season is not surprising, given the circumstances.

In his recent outing against Wolves, Woltemade was unable to find the target with a pair of headed attempts, highlighting the challenges he faces in front of goal, which are exacerbated by the quality of service he receives, as he excels when playing off short passes.

Despite Newcastle delivering the most crosses in the Premier League, with 637 attempts, their crossing accuracy ranks among the lowest, with only eight teams faring worse, at 21.5%.

Unlike traditional target men who often play with their backs to goal, Woltemade's technical ability allows him to thrive in a more fluid role, operating in the areas between the midfield and the penalty box.

During his time at Stuttgart, Woltemade frequently demonstrated his exceptional skill for a tall player, using his dribbling ability to beat defenders and create opportunities for himself and his teammates from the spaces between the midfield and the box.

In recent matches, Howe has experimented with Woltemade playing behind Wissa in a 4-2-3-1 formation, first against Bournemouth and again in the second half against Brentford as Newcastle sought to regain momentum.

According to the head coach, the team's attack is still a work in progress, with summer signings yet to fully integrate into the team's system, resulting in inconsistent performance.

Speaking about a player's progress, Howe praised their attitude, saying, "Nick has shown a great attitude in everything he does, which is a key factor in his continued success."

For the latest updates, analysis, and insights from Newcastle, including fan perspectives, check the latest news.

Do you have any questions about Newcastle? This is an opportunity to ask and get informed about the team.

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News

Document allegedly shows Andrew provided UK briefing on Epstein’s Afghan investments

A briefing that outlines “high value commercial opportunities” in Helmand province is contained within the Epstein files.

A document allegedly sent by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Jeffrey Epstein contains details about investment prospects in Afghanistan, specifically regarding gold and uranium.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, head and shoulder picture, giving a speech in 2010 — The former Prince Andrew travelled the world as the UK's trade envoy

UK officials had prepared a briefing for Andrew, then a trade envoy, which he later forwarded to Epstein in December 2010; the document outlines "high value commercial opportunities" in Helmand province.

This revelation follows a BBC report that Andrew had labeled the document "confidential" in an email, as seen in the latest release of Epstein files.

Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to his association with Epstein, and has rejected suggestions that he used his position as trade envoy for personal gain.

Attempts have been made to obtain a comment from Andrew regarding these developments.

Sir Vince Cable, the business secretary at the time, has described Andrew's sharing of the briefing as "appalling behaviour".

Thames Valley Police are currently assessing whether to launch an investigation into the apparent sharing of documents related to Andrew's tenure as trade envoy.

In addition to the Afghan document, emails in the Epstein files suggest that Andrew also sent official reports from his trade envoy visits to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam to Epstein.

The emails indicate that Andrew may have shared further trade documents with Epstein, including a batch of files labeled "Overseas bids" sent immediately after the reports from his South East Asia visits.

These files are likely "Zip files" containing multiple pieces of compressed information.

The Afghan document, compiled by UK government officials for Andrew, provides an in-depth overview of investment opportunities in Helmand province during a time of significant UK military and political involvement in Afghanistan.

As noted by Andrew in his correspondence with Epstein, the document is a "confidential brief" prepared by the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province.

The briefing was prepared for Andrew during the same month he visited Helmand, where he met with UK troops.

It offers an assessment of the local economy and business opportunities, including the presence of "significant high value mineral deposits" and the potential for low-cost extraction.

The document highlights valuable natural resources such as marble, gold, iridium, uranium, and thorium, as well as potential oil and gas deposits, based on information gathered by UK government officials working on the Helmand reconstruction team.

According to official guidelines, trade envoys are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive commercial or political information related to their official visits.

Sir Vince Cable has called for greater transparency regarding Andrew's activities as trade envoy, citing his own unsuccessful attempts to access Andrew's file, which he found to be empty.

Sir Vince, who played a key role in ending Andrew's tenure as trade envoy, has expressed concerns about Andrew's actions during his time in the position.

A snippet of the briefing which begins Helmand: High Value Commercial Opportunities for Foreign Investment and says Brief for HRH Duke of York: 19 December 2010

"I have twice requested to see Andrew's file from his time as trade envoy, but it is empty," Sir Vince stated.

He recalled meeting Andrew once at Buckingham Palace, where Andrew asked him to find a useful role for him, but Sir Vince declined.

Following the first public reports about Andrew's friendship with Epstein in 2011, Sir Vince decided to discontinue Andrew's role as trade envoy.

The primary function of a trade envoy is to promote UK business interests abroad and encourage investment.

A diplomatic source, speaking anonymously, suggested that a trade envoy like Andrew might have shared information with potential investors to support UK business initiatives, potentially including those in Afghanistan.

Andrew's note to Epstein mentions his intention to "offer this elsewhere in my network, including Abu Dhabi".

A former senior trade official noted that while many reports seen by a trade envoy might be routine, some meetings could produce significant commercial opportunities.

"It's possible that the documents contained important commercial information that would have been useful," the former official said.

However, the official emphasized that such documents were not intended for sharing outside of government, particularly not with individuals who might use them for personal gain.

Andrew continues to face scrutiny over his links to Epstein, following the release of new documents by the US government, including photographs of Andrew with a woman.

He is under increasing pressure to testify in the US about his connections to Epstein and has recently relocated from his Windsor home to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated that the King is prepared to support the police as they consider allegations against Andrew.

To receive the latest royal news and analysis, sign up for the Royal Watch newsletter; those outside the UK can sign up using a separate link.

Middle East

BBC reports from Tehran as Iran commemorates Islamic revolution anniversary

BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet has arrived in Iran, marking her first visit to the country since authorities suppressed widespread demonstrations against the government.

Iran's government has staged a display of strength to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, following a period of intense repression of anti-government demonstrations.

The BBC has gained access to Tehran for the first time since the authorities' crackdown on protests, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,490 people, according to estimates by human rights activists.

Lyse Doucet, the BBC's chief international correspondent, observes that the capital's streets, adorned with festive decorations and filled with crowds of supporters, reflect the government's desired image of a unified nation, with Iranians demonstrating their allegiance to the Islamic Republic and its founding revolution.

Business

Over 180 survivors participate in Harrods abuse compensation scheme

Allegations of sexual harassment have been made against the late Mohamed Al Fayed, stemming from his tenure as owner.

Over 180 individuals who suffered abuse at the hands of Mohammed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, are presently participating in the company's compensation program, according to the retailer.

A close-up picture of Mohammed al Fayed.

To date, more than 50 women have received compensation payments from the luxury department store.

Launched in March of the previous year, the compensation scheme will no longer accept new submissions after March 31.

In October, Harrods allocated over £60 million for its compensation plan, which aims to provide support to victims of alleged historical abuse.

The scheme offers a standard award of £200,000 to eligible claimants; however, those who undergo an assessment by a consultant psychiatrist may be eligible to receive up to £385,000 in compensation, in addition to treatment costs.

Claimants who opt not to undergo a psychiatric assessment will receive lower compensation amounts.

Applications received by the March 31 deadline will continue to be processed thereafter.

Additionally, Harrods will continue to provide counseling support beyond the deadline, including services from the Independent Survivor Advocate.

In 2024, human rights advocate Dame Jasvinder Sanghera was appointed by Harrods to the role of Independent Survivor Advocate, with the goal of meeting with as many survivors as possible and guiding them through the compensation process.

Justice for Harrods Survivors, an organization representing some of the victims, has stated that only a fully independent process can adequately address the needs of survivors.

Mohammed Al Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 to 2010, has been accused of rape and sexual assault by multiple women, with 146 individuals coming forward to report crimes to the Met Police as part of their investigation.

The Harrods Group operates several locations, including its flagship store in Knightsbridge, London, as well as smaller stores at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and a chain of beauty stores.

KP Law, which represents over 260 survivors, has expressed criticism of the Redress Scheme, citing concerns that Harrods maintains full control over the process.

Tom Fletcher, a specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, which supports some of the victims, has expressed satisfaction with the settlements secured for some of the firm's clients through the scheme.

According to Tom Fletcher, "Although no amount of compensation can fully compensate for the abuse our clients experienced, the amounts recovered under the scheme acknowledge the severity of the abuse and provide our clients with the necessary funds to access specialized support, enabling them to move forward with their lives."