‘Disruptive’ - Newcastle United player honest on Alexander Isak before Liverpool sale
Jacob Murphy is relishing a partnership with Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United.
Jacob Murphy believes he has already developed a “natural connection” with Newcastle United star Nick Woltemade.
In an honest reflection of the past few months, the 30-year-old also conceded that the Alexander Isak transfer saga affected the squad. Scoring goals has seldom been a problem for the Magpies under Eddie Howe.
However, adjusting to life without Isak has proven difficult despite Woltemade’s instant impact. Newcastle scored just four goals in six Premier League games before putting Nottingham Forest to the sword at the weekend.
Woltemade - who also bagged in the Champions League last week - netted his fourth goal since arriving from Stuttgart. The Magpies took positive steps towards banishing the goal-shy blues that have plagued the early stages of the season.
Eddie Howe on Newcastle United struggles
Speaking after the goalless draw with Bournemouth a fortnight ago, Howe admitted his frontline are struggling to click into gear. He said: “We have work to do in that respect. We have the players, we have the height, I think we have the delivery. But something's not quite clicking. That's not a criticism of any coach. That's a criticism of me, I'm ultimately responsible for it. We've got work to do. We can do better in that respect."
Jacob Murphy loving Nick Woltemade connection
Back-to-back hammerings of Union Saint-Gilloise and Forest lifted the mood around Newcastle’s unconvincing start. Toon winger Murphy was left on the bench for those games but is adamant he has begun building a solid partnership with Woltemade.
“I am surprised at how natural the connection has been already,” he told the club’s matchday programme at the weekend. “We’ve already struck a really good chemistry even from the first 11 vs 11 practices we did on the training pitch.
“He’s a highly intelligent player who seems to recognise the space that I leave so we can combine very well. I’m delighted that I managed to deliver the cross well enough for him to score (against Wolverhampton Wanderers). It’s a great start to life for him. He’s another great striker that I can work with and provide as many opportunities as I can for him.”
Alexander Isak disruption
Murphy also confessed that the Isak saga was not ideal while preparing for a Premier League campaign. He added: “We had a disruptive summer but we’ve got two new strikers in and, not only have they got to adapt to 20 other players, we have to adapt to them.
“It will take a bit of time - hopefully not too long - but we’re putting in the hours and trying to find the right balance so it clicks for everyone. It’ll only be a matter of time until it’s all firing.”