Haaland sets standard, but Nick in need of help

Nick Woltemade has yet to fully adapt to Newcastle's methods, but he's become a regular scorer for Germany of late

- JOHNGIBSON

WHEN Manchester City won zero trophies last season the doom and gloom merchants went into overdrive.

It was the end of an era, the changing of the guard to Arne Slot and Liverpool.

Pep had been found out or had run out of fresh ideas. Old players were on the wrong side of the hill.

Oh yeah? City have discovered their mojo again, Pep is full of pep, Erling Haaland full of goals, and few would bet against City winning a trophy somewhere along the line to add to the 18 Guardiola has already delivered.

So on they come to Newcastle who are in their own mini slump in the Premier League at the moment.

It’s our away form which has started the alarm bells ringing, but United haven't played that well at home either in reality.

The Alexander Isak affair is behind it all. A shocking departure played out amid much bitterness and a failure to replace him with anything approaching like for like has meant much more than anticipated. United need to rethink the whole way they play without the same focal point.

The intensity has disappeared from displays and vultures have picked away at an empty carcass.

Club legend Alan Shearer highlighted the problem when he said: “Eddie's Newcastle team have always been full of energy, being tough to play against, not giving the opposition any space. The thing that is missing for me is the high press and the energy.”