Following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford, The Mail’s Craig Hope shared some post-match thoughts on Nick Woltemade that divided opinion on social media.
Without criticising the player’s undoubted quality, he’s described the 6ft 6′ striker’s style of play as a ‘problem’, stating ‘he’s the missing piece in the puzzle to somebody else’s jigsaw’ in a follow-up comment on X.
Yes, he has big shoes to fill as a club-record signing and Alexander Isak’s replacement, but it’s widely understood that he’s a completely different striker. Where Isak would look to use his pace, burst in behind and press, Woltemade is at his best coming short and, for all his technical ability, he’s not blessed with pace.
Two former Premier League strikers Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton have weighed in on this debate and offered a similar view, with Shearer hailing his quality, but questioning his ability to fit into Eddie Howe’s high-energy style of play.
“I’ve said before that as good as Nick Woltemade is with the ball at his feet, he is a problem for Newcastle because he’s not the quickest, and he can’t press, and he doesn’t run in behind,” Shearer told Betfair.
“Eddie’s teams have always done that. Look at what Alexander Isak did or look at what Callum Wilson did, they all pressed and ran behind. But this guy can’t do that, and that’s a problem for Newcastle.”
BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton has also weighed in on Woltemade, highlighting how his lack of pace and movement in behind is making us too predictable to play against.
As a result, he feels our wingers or Joelinton need to do more to stretch defences in behind and questions what Eddie Howe will do up top when Yoane Wissa returns from injury, considering he is a striker who can play on the shoulder:
“Your team is only as good as the centre forward, and he doesn’t have pace. The movement in behind has to come from other areas, and they aren’t doing that enough.”
“When Isak played as a centre forward, defenders would be reluctant to really get so tight with him because he had that movement in behind. Woltemade doesn’t; he just doesn’t run in behind.
“I think it’s a massive problem because it has to come from Joelinton or the wide areas. I just think that he’s… he’s scored goals, his numbers are pretty good, but it makes them so predictable in the way that they play.
“I think it’s a problem. It will be really interesting when Wissa gets fit, how Eddie Howe goes about that, will he play him off Woltemade? But at least they will carry that threat from a central striking position.”
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Highest Paying Jobs in the UK 2026 (No Degree Required) – Full Hiring Guide
The UK job market in 2026 is creating strong opportunities for workers without university degrees. Due to labor shortages, rising wages, and demand across key industries, many roles now offer competitive salaries, stable contracts, and visa sponsorship options for qualified workers.
This guide focuses on real, in-demand UK jobs that pay well, require little or no formal education, and are suitable for both UK residents and international applicants.
1. HGV (Truck) Driver Jobs in the UK
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers remain among the highest-paid non-degree workers in the UK. Supermarkets, logistics firms, construction companies, and fuel suppliers continue to face driver shortages, pushing wages higher each year.
Salary Range
- £38,000 – £65,000 per year
- Overtime and night shifts can exceed £70,000
Requirements
- UK HGV Class 1 or Class 2 licence
- Driver CPC qualification
- No university degree required
Why This Job Pays Well
Long hours, responsibility, and supply chain importance make HGV driving one of the best-paid manual professions in the UK. Employers often cover training costs.
2. Construction Site Supervisor (Experience-Based)
Construction supervisors oversee daily site operations, safety compliance, and workforce coordination. Many professionals rise into this role through experience rather than formal education.
Salary Range
- £40,000 – £60,000 per year
Requirements
- Construction site experience
- CSCS or SSSTS certification
- No degree required
Construction jobs attract high advertising bids due to insurance, equipment, training, and recruitment demand.
3. Security Control Room Operator
Unlike basic security guard roles, control room operators monitor CCTV systems, coordinate emergency responses, and manage access control for large facilities, airports, and business centers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £50,000 per year
Requirements
- SIA licence
- Basic IT and communication skills
- No academic degree required
4. Warehouse Operations Manager (Promotion-Based)
Many warehouse managers start as pickers or supervisors and move up through performance. E-commerce growth has pushed logistics salaries significantly higher.
Salary Range
- £42,000 – £58,000 per year
Industries Hiring
- Amazon fulfilment centres
- Supermarket distribution hubs
- Import and export warehouses
5. Care Home Manager (NVQ Route)
Care home managers oversee elderly and assisted living facilities. This role follows vocational certification routes rather than university education.
Salary Range
- £45,000 – £65,000 per year
Why It Pays Well
An aging population and staff shortages have pushed salaries higher, especially in private care homes.
6. Roofing & Specialist Trades
Roofers, scaffolders, and specialist trade workers earn premium wages due to physical demand and skill shortages.
Salary Range
- £180 – £300 per day
- Annual income up to £70,000
7. Taxi & Private Hire Drivers (High-Demand Cities)
London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds offer strong earning potential for licensed private hire drivers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £55,000 per year
Visa Sponsorship for UK Jobs
Some UK employers offer sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. While not all jobs qualify, roles in logistics, healthcare support, construction, and technical operations may be eligible depending on employer approval.
How to Apply for High-Paying UK Jobs
- Apply directly on company career websites
- Register with UK recruitment agencies
- Obtain necessary licences before applying
- Prepare a UK-style CV
In 2026, high-paying jobs in the UK are no longer limited to university graduates. With the right skills, certifications, and experience, workers can secure stable, well-paid roles across logistics, construction, healthcare support, and security sectors.
For job seekers aiming to work in the UK or improve their income, focusing on short-term training and high-demand industries remains the smartest path.
