The battle for the starting spot in Newcastle United’s attack has taken a sharp turn as manager Eddie Howe issues a clear warning to his frontmen. Following a commanding 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, the spotlight has shifted onto Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.
While the victory at St James’ Park was a night to remember, it served as a backdrop for a deeper conversation about consistency, competition, and the high standards required to lead the line for a club with European ambitions.
Yoane Wissa was undoubtedly the man of the hour on Wednesday night, contributing both a goal and an assist to sink the Dutch giants. It was a performance that reminded the Tyneside faithful exactly why the club brought him in.
However, the road back hasn’t been easy for the 29-year-old. After a stint on the sidelines due to injury, Wissa made the difficult decision to skip the Africa Cup of Nations, choosing instead to stay in Newcastle to focus on his rehabilitation and integration into the squad. That level of commitment is finally starting to pay dividends on the pitch.
On the other side of the coin is Nick Woltemade. The young German forward was once a guaranteed name on the team sheet, largely because Howe had very few other options while Wissa was recovering. Woltemade took that chance with both hands early in the season, racking up nine goals across all competitions.
Even now, he remains the club’s second-highest scorer, trailing only Harvey Barnes. Yet, the goals have dried up lately. It has been over a month since he last found the net, and his only goal-scoring contribution in his last fourteen appearances was a brace against Chelsea.
This dip in form has opened the door for a fierce rivalry. Eddie Howe has made it clear that no one’s place is safe. He pointed back to the days when Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak were both fit and fighting for the same role.
In that era, the two strikers didn’t just compete; they elevated one another. When one scored, the other felt the pressure to match it. That internal tension created a “fortress” mentality where every player knew that a single poor outing could mean a long stint on the bench. Howe is now trying to recreate that exact atmosphere with Wissa and Woltemade.
The manager’s philosophy is simple: a team plays its best football when every individual is looking over their shoulder at the strength of the bench. Howe wants that feeling of “one bad performance” costing a player their spot to permeate through every position on the pitch, from the goalkeeper to the strikers.
He believes that trust is earned through daily application and taking every chance that comes along. While he respects the different strengths of both players Wissa with his explosive movement and Woltemade with his physical presence he won’t let sentimentality dictate his team selection.
Wissa’s attitude has been particularly praised by the coaching staff. Howe described his motivation as “refreshing,” noting that the striker possesses an inner fire and a desperate hunger to prove his worth to the fans.
Scoring on his first starts in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup, and now the Champions League proves that he has the “big game” temperament. His goal on Wednesday was described by Howe as a “typical striker’s finish,” born out of instinct and positioning.
However, the manager is also mindful of the physical toll. Because Wissa is still in the early stages of his return, there is a delicate balance to strike between giving him the minutes he needs to find his rhythm and ensuring he doesn’t suffer a relapse.
The challenge for Woltemade now is to rediscover the consistency that made him a breakout star earlier in the campaign. At his best, he provides a focal point for the Newcastle attack that allows players like Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon to thrive.
But in a league as unforgiving as the Premier League, yesterday’s goals don’t buy you tomorrow’s minutes. The “Alexander Isak” standard has been set, and anything less than elite performance will see a player sidelined.
As Newcastle prepares for their next run of fixtures, the striker dilemma is actually a “luxury problem” for Eddie Howe. Having two fit, motivated, and capable strikers is a position most managers would envy. The key will be how these two individuals handle the pressure.
If they take Howe’s warning to heart, Newcastle could see an explosion of goals as the pair push each other to new heights. If they falter, the club’s owners may well look to the transfer market to find a more permanent solution.
For now, the ball is firmly in the court of Wissa and Woltemade, and the next few weeks will determine who truly owns the number nine jersey at St James’ Park.
