Newcastle United supporters would rather forget about Alexander Isak’s controversial summer exit. The Swedish striker forced through a record-breaking £125 million transfer to Liverpool under Arne Slot, leaving Tyneside after scoring an impressive 62 goals in just 109 matches.
His departure caused tension among fans, but Eddie Howe’s men appeared to recover quickly with the arrival of Nick Woltemade, signed for £69 million as his direct replacement.
The towering German forward has made an instant impact, netting six goals in just 12 Premier League games. In contrast, Isak has struggled at Anfield, managing only one goal since the switch.
Howe praised Woltemade as “first class,” and he has been one of the few bright sparks in what has been a difficult campaign for Newcastle. However, despite his promising start, the Magpies are far from their best.
Several long-standing players have failed to perform at their usual levels. The 3-1 loss to West Ham United exposed deep cracks within the team.
Alan Shearer didn’t hold back, labelling the performance as “rotten,” while the statistics from that match told their own story Woltemade had only 14 touches, and the Magpies managed just one real shot on target from Jacob Murphy.
Defensively, the team was disjointed, with Dan Burn struggling yet again at left-back. The veteran defender, filling in due to injuries, managed no tackles and won just two duels.
Fans have grown frustrated with Howe’s insistence on using Burn out of position, with many describing it as “the stuff of nightmares.”
The injury list hasn’t helped matters either. Newcastle’s backline has been stretched thin, and some of their most important players remain sidelined.
| Player | Games Missed |
|---|---|
| Yoane Wissa | 13 |
| Tino Livramento | 7 |
| Lewis Hall | 6 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt |
The constant injuries have forced Howe into difficult decisions, relying heavily on players like Burn who are past their physical peak. Lewis Hall’s recurring fitness issues have prevented him from cementing his place in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s £55 million summer signing, Yoane Wissa, has yet to make his debut due to a long-term injury. With 45 Premier League goals for Brentford, Wissa’s absence has been felt deeply, as his attacking energy could have offered Newcastle another outlet similar to Woltemade.
The lack of options and form has created a stale atmosphere around St James’ Park. Joelinton, once a crucial figure in Howe’s midfield, has shown visible rust and hasn’t registered a goal or assist all season.
Yet he continues to start every week. This loyalty from Howe has sparked debate among fans who feel the side needs new energy and competition.
Anthony Gordon, valued at around £100 million, is another concern. Once one of the club’s most exciting prospects, he now looks “all over the place” without Isak.
The pair had formed a deadly partnership, with eight of Isak’s goals coming directly from Gordon assists. Gordon himself has contributed 26 goals for Newcastle, including nine last season, which drew interest from Liverpool during the same window Isak departed.
However, since Isak’s exit, Gordon’s performances have been inconsistent. Despite some flashes of brilliance in the Champions League earning praise from José Mourinho after facing Benfica the winger has gone 19 Premier League games without a single goal or assist.
Journalists Luke Edwards and Adam Clery have both criticized his recent displays, with Edwards describing his 45-minute outing against West Ham as “awful.”
Some believe Gordon’s struggles are psychological, tied to losing his on-field chemistry with Isak. Others see a pattern from his past he left Everton in a similarly messy situation when his motivation appeared to drop before his move to Newcastle.
Now, as rumors of another £100 million switch to Liverpool have cooled, the England international must refocus.
Shearer, despite his harsh words on Newcastle’s form, has offered constructive advice. He believes Gordon and his teammates need to “get back to basics,” focusing less on flair and more on the fundamentals that once made the team so dangerous.
Currently sitting in 13th place, Newcastle’s league form simply isn’t good enough for a side with such ambition. If Gordon can rediscover his spark and reconnect with Woltemade, the Magpies could still climb back into the European conversation.
But if his slump continues, the pressure on Howe and the entire squad will only intensify.
For now, Newcastle fans can only hope their £100 million man finds his rhythm again because without Isak, Anthony Gordon looks like a player still searching for his place in this new chapter at St James’ Park.
