When most of the 52,000 fans had already spilled out of St James’ Park on Wednesday night, the floodlights still shone on an unusual sight.
Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s marquee midfielder, was hammering balls into a small net facing the famous Gallowgate End.
It wasn’t a match anymore, but rather a glimpse into how far this team is willing to go in search of goals.
At 10:30pm, the training session felt like a reminder: if Newcastle want to keep pace as a Champions League side, they cannot waste a single moment.
A Call for Goals Beyond Isak
Tonali wasn’t alone in the drill. Nick Woltemade, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes were all out there too.
For Eddie Howe, the message is clear — in Alexander Isak’s absence, everyone has to chip in.
The numbers tell their own story. From five league games, Newcastle average just 2.6 shots on target, down from 4.58 last season.
They’ve scored only three goals. Even when they carve out chances, they haven’t been finishing them.
Howe’s Challenge to Reinvent
Eddie Howe has spent nearly four years reshaping Newcastle from relegation battlers into Champions League regulars.
But the summer loss of Isak has shaken that progress, leaving the team without its usual focal point.
Now Howe faces a choice: adapt the squad he has or completely rethink their style.
He’s leaning towards the latter. “Reinvent” is probably a more accurate word than “evolve.”
The Woltemade Question
Nick Woltemade, signed for £69m from Germany, is at the centre of this rebuild.
While some assumed he might play as a No 10, insiders insist Howe is determined to turn him into a proper No 9.
But he isn’t Isak — not in ability, not in style. And making him the striker Howe envisions will take time.
That’s why these late-night sessions are so vital.
Midfield Goals a Must
If the strikers can’t carry the load alone, the midfield must step up.
Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes have both been pushed to make more attacking runs, and their link-up shone in the Carabao Cup win over Bradford City.
Even Howe admitted with a smile that he was “encouraged” by Guimaraes missing chances — because at least he was there to take them.
Wingers Under Scrutiny
Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and new £55m signing Anthony Elanga have managed just one assist and no goals in the league so far. That’s not enough.
Still, Howe defends them. He argues that chances are being created, but finishing is where it’s breaking down.
Elanga, he insists, has the raw pace and threat to become more effective with time.
Growing Pains with New Faces
This transition was never going to be simple. Woltemade is adapting. Elanga is still settling. Yoane Wissa is sidelined with a knee problem, while Jacob Ramsey is nursing an ankle injury.
The attacking overhaul feels incomplete when half the options are unavailable.
Relief in the Cup
That’s why Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Bradford felt so important.
Even against League One opposition, scoring four — with young striker William Osula netting twice — lifted spirits.
Inside the dressing room, players blasted a song called Change This Pain for Ecstasy — a fitting choice after weeks of frustration.
Looking Ahead to Arsenal
Newcastle now turn their attention to Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Recent history is on their side, with three straight home wins against the Gunners by a combined score of 4-0.
But the bigger picture remains. Howe can only stretch the team so far with drills and tweaks.
For Newcastle to climb again, it will ultimately come down to Woltemade — the 6ft 6in striker who could determine just how high this team can rise.