Barcelona won 2-1 at St. James’ Park thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford after Newcastle faltered in their first Champions League game of the 2025–26 campaign. However, if Eddie Howe had arranged his team differently, things might have turned out differently.
Before the England international’s incredible brace, the home team had chances to take the lead with chances from Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, and others. In extended time, the former did eventually score one goal again, but it was too little, too late.
The England international was at a disadvantage since he was not playing in his natural position, even though he did not have his finest night. With numerous crosses into the box that eventually caused no issues for Barcelona’s defence, it felt like a game that was specifically designed for new acquisition Nick Woltemade.
Newcastle looked considerably better with Gordon on the left and the German through the middle after he was substituted for Barnes. However, that left many people, especially Newcastle fans, perplexed as to why that wasn’t the original intention.
It Should Have Been Woltemade, Not Barnes, Who Started
Barnes’ game wasn’t bad, but he did leave something to be desired. During his hour on the pitch, he failed to create enough of a threat for right-back Jules Kounde, wasting a chance in the first half.
The game’s tone changed when Howe introduced Woltemade. Gordon had fantastic runs down the left, but it’s safe to say that he didn’t really challenge Kounde much either. Newcastle were more direct and had someone to play off.
He did, however, score the Geordie boys’ lone goal of the evening. With Barnes falling to the bench and Gordon moving to his natural position on the left, the alterations have also left fans with little doubt that Woltemade has to start moving ahead.
“Gordon in his natural position instead of Barnes is so much better,” said one supporter, while another said, “Howe lost because he chose to play Barnes on the left instead of Gordon.” Many fans expressed their frustration with the choice to play Gordon through the centre, with one irate fan tweeting: “Never start Gordon up top with Barnes on LW ever again.”
Others have pleaded with Howe to continue Woltemade. As one person put it, “Elanga was torturing them, Barnes off, Gordon to the left, and Big Nick at half time would have won us that game…” Newcastle lost the match because the German was not brought on sooner. On the other hand, one left-leaning supporter expressed extreme discontent with Barnes’ work: “Howe is the most reactive manager I’ve ever seen.” Totally embarrassing. Barnes is worthless and should have been substituted at the half.
In Sunday’s match against Bournemouth, supporters will be hoping that Woltemade will start from the beginning, providing Howe a much-needed up front presence. Barnes will probably be benched as a result, and he will have to perform well to regain his left-wing position.
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