Yoane Wissa impressed once again as Newcastle United claimed a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.
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Alan Shearer wants Yoane Wissa to ‘feel the love’ of Newcastle United fans after he made a bright start to his first full season at St James Park.
The DR Congo international struggled to make an impact throughout last season as an injury he suffered just days after completed a big money move to Tyneside hampered his attempts to shine. However, an impressive World Cup campaign triggered an upturn in form and confidence as Wissa scored three goals during DR Congo’s historic run to the round of 32 before they suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against England.
Wissa looked lively during United’s pre-season campaign and produced arguably his best performance in a black and white shirt in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool as he provided a constant threat in a number ten role before reverting to the lead role in attack following an injury to Will Osula. The former Brentford forward was named as lead striker in Matthias Jaissle’s starting eleven for Saturday evening’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur and grabbed his first goal of the season with a clever finish from close range that ensured the German claimed his first win as Magpies head coach.
The DR Congo international latched on to a Nick Woltemade header before flicking the ball beyond Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky to add to an opener from Anthony Elanga and give United yet another away win against the North London outfit.
Former Magpies captain Shearer admitted Wissa had found life difficult during his first season with Newcastle after he was brought in to replace Alexander Isak - but insisted the versatile forward deserves ‘incredible credit’ for showing signs of rediscovering his Brentford form during the first week of the new season.
‘I think he was superb’ - Alan Shearer on Yoane Wissa
He told Premier League Productions: “It was really tough and I guess there were some low moments because you read and you feel all of the negativity that goes with it. You’re not fit, when you are fit you’re getting a chance and you didn’t take that chance, which is very difficult. Then you go through pre-season, you come back and you’re hoping and praying you stay fit. There’s no doubt there is a player in there, we saw it at Brentford and that’s one of the reasons Newcastle invested very, very heavily in him - and it was a lot of money. It’s why a lot of the negativity is around because you pay the money and it doesn’t work in the first season.
Shearer continued: “But you have to give him incredible credit because, mentally, to go through what he did, and to come back and be really sharp, and he was brilliant last Sunday against Liverpool. He started off in the ten role, Osula went off, and he had to go in the nine role. I think he was superb last weekend and he was against and I hope for his sake, and his family’s sake, he can stay fit and keep putting in those performances and feel the love of those Newcastle fans.”