JACOB MURPHY is missing his connection with Alexander Isak.
But ’s wing wonder is still working on finding a formula to provide and with more ammunition.
Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy were a deadly duo for Newcastle last termCredit: Reuters
, who turns 31 on Wednesday, assisted seven of the Swede’s 21 Premier League goals last term.
The partnership was the most productive in top-flight, with no other player creating more goals for a single teammate.
Following Isak’s controversial exit to Liverpool, Murphy is yet to strike up a similar telepathic relationship with his replacements.
The star, who was being tipped for an England call-up 12 months ago, got a dozen Prem assists in total during the previous campaign.
However, the ex-Norwich City ace has managed just one so far in this one, which was for Woltemade to head home the matchwinner on his debut against Wolves way back in September.
Murphy was asked ahead of the dead-rubber Champions League play-off second leg with Qarabag, whom Toon thumped 6-1 in Azerbaijan last week, whether he was missing Isak.
He said: “Alex was unbelievable when he was here and me and him had a very good connection.
“I’ve taken the same principles into this season. It’s also finding new solutions that work for myself and new team-mates and existing team-mates.
“Without constantly being able to train, you’re almost using the match minutes as training to try and find the solution, which can be difficult.
“We’re trying to find those solutions that work for everyone.”
Murphy finally got off the mark in the Champions League in last week’s Baku battering.
Now Toon fans will be hoping that either Woltemade, who has enjoyed success in a midfield role of late, and Wissa can return to goalscoring form at St. James’.
The 6ft 6in German has ten since his club-record £69m arrival from Stuttgart but has scored just once in his last 17 appearances.
Wissa, returning from a fortnight out with a dead leg, has produced just three goals from his 20 games in black and white following his £55m move from Brentford.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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