The return of the UEFA Champions League to St James’ Park was meant to be a night of celebration and a statement of intent.
Instead, it ended in a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, leaving Newcastle United fans with a familiar feeling of what might have been.
While the brilliance of Marcus Rashford’s two goals ultimately decided the contest, a significant portion of the post-match discussion has centered not on the players, but on a key tactical decision made by manager Eddie Howe before a ball was even kicked.
For much of the match, Newcastle competed on an even footing with the Spanish giants. They created several promising opportunities in the first half, with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes both getting into dangerous positions.
The team’s effort and commitment were never in question. However, a recurring issue was the lack of a clear focal point in attack.
The game was crying out for a traditional central striker who could occupy Barcelona’s center-backs, hold up the ball, and attack the numerous crosses that were being swung into the penalty area.
This is where the main point of contention lies. Eddie Howe chose to start with Anthony Gordon in the central striker role, a position that is not his natural forte.
Gordon is a fantastic player, but his greatest strengths lie in picking up the ball in wide areas and using his pace to run directly at defenders.
Playing through the middle, he was often isolated and unable to influence the game in his usual way.
On the left wing, Harvey Barnes had a difficult evening, struggling to make a consistent impact against Barcelona’s resolute right-back.
While he got into good positions, his final product often lacked the cutting edge needed at this level.
The dynamics of the game shifted noticeably in the final half-hour when Howe made a triple substitution.
The introduction of Nick Woltemade was the key change. The German striker, a summer signing, immediately provided a proper reference point for the attack.
His presence through the middle allowed Anthony Gordon to move back to his preferred left-wing position.
Almost instantly, Newcastle looked more balanced, more direct, and more threatening. Gordon looked immediately more comfortable and was involved in the buildup to his late consolation goal.
This dramatic improvement has led many supporters to question the manager’s initial team selection.
The overwhelming sentiment among the fanbase is that starting Woltemade from the beginning would have given Barcelona’s defense a completely different problem to solve.
His physical presence and aerial ability would have been the perfect weapon against a team that faced a barrage of crosses.
Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration, with many believing that the delayed substitution cost the team a chance at a positive result.
One fan pointed out the obvious improvement, stating, “Gordon in his natural position instead of Barnes is so much better.”
Another was more critical of the initial decision, tweeting, “Howe’s decision to play Barnes over Gordon on the left cost him.” The most common plea was a simple one: “Never start Gordon up top with Barnes on LW ever again.”
The performance in the final 30 minutes served as a clear blueprint for how the team should set up moving forward.
It showed that with Woltemade leading the line and Gordon causing havoc from the wing, the attack has a much more potent and cohesive look.
The defeat to Barcelona was a harsh lesson in the fine margins of elite football. For Eddie Howe, the takeaway is clear: the best way to get the most out of his most dangerous attackers is to play them in their best positions.
The hope now is that this lesson is learned quickly, starting with the next Premier League match.
