As good as Nick Woltemade has been in his first few months on Tyneside, no one can deny that the Alexander Isak saga created a summer of chaos that was only settled on deadline day; two weeks into the 2025/26 season.
Speaking to NBC Sports over the international break, Eddie Howe has been discussing our efforts to adapt away from the patterns of play that we got so accustomed to with Isak up top.
He accepts that we “became so used to having Alex in that role”, whether it was where he liked the ball or our style of football to suit his strengths.
Adapting to players that come and go is part of football, but Howe reveals that the “big challenge”, and perhaps an unseen one that many of us haven’t appreciated, has been our lack of training time in between games to work on these changes with Woltemade leading the line.
With us already playing six midweek games this season in the Champions League or Carabao Cup, the boss reveals that Woltemade has often had “no training” in between games, meaning he and the players are having to adapt to each other within games.
Discussing Woltemade’s baptism of fire and the big challenge facing us after no pre-season for our new-look striker department, Howe discussed the tough period of adjustment his players are managing after Isak’s late exit:
“I’ve been delighted with Nick (Woltemade); very very tough for him, he’s been thrown in the deep end, very little training time with us and straight into match days with no training in between either because we had such an intense period of fixtures.
“I think we became so used to having Alex (Isak) in that role and getting used to Alex’s movements and how he liked the ball and we’ll work lots of patterns anyway.”
“So I think the players then go through a period of adjustment when one player comes out and another comes in: to understand where that player then wants the ball and what their strengths are, I think we’re undergoing a sort of process, the big challenge we have is we’re not able to do that through training, we’re having to do that in games really.”
“I think you can see improvements in those dynamics from the last few weeks, and then that will change again hopefully when Yoane’s fit and we can start to use him. It’ll be interesting to see how that changes throughout the season.”
It may seem like excuses, but they are valid points that have undoubtedly impacted us this season.
Where some sides have spent pre-season strengthening connections in the side or entering the season with a settled squad, we have seen Woltemade arrive with no pre-season with the club, a total lack of training time since to help us adapt to a totally different striker to Isak and Yoane Wissa miss out through injury since his deadline day arrival.
The challenge now is finding solutions, whether that’s a formation change, personnel changes, a focus on getting Woltemade in the box more and creating chances for the big man, who has had an exceptional conversion rate for club and country this year.
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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.
