Newcastle United headed to AFC Bournemouth on Sunday in Premier League action still bruised from their narrow 2-1 defeat in the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona.
With such a quick turnaround since Thursday’s defeat, too, Eddie Howe had to make five alterations to his starting XI for the trip to the Cherries, with none of these fresh alterations coming in to guide the Toon to a much-needed win, unfortunately.
Instead, the much-changed Magpies would unconvincingly stumble to a 0-0 draw on the road, with Joe Willock, in particular, not banging the door down for more first-team minutes going forward, based on his poor display.
Willock’s no-show vs Bournemouth
In truth, it was a flat performance all over the pitch from Howe’s visitors, with only a weak four shots registered all match by the Toon, during the drab stalemate.
Worryingly, Willock showed no sign of being energetic throughout, despite the ex-Arsenal man being handed his first Premier League start of the season, as Howe made all those changes.
The vibrant livewire that once netted eight goals from just 13 league starts during the 2020/21 season is now long gone, with Willock actually managing to register fewer touches of the ball than Nick Pope in between the sticks, as a forgettable 32 touches of the ball were tallied up across his hour or so on the pitch, next to Pope’s 42, per Sofascore.
With just 12 accurate passes notched up from the middle of the park, too, it’s no great shock that the heavily rotated Newcastle that took to the pitch looked so limp in attack when there was a complete lack of creative flair coming from the declining 26-year-old.
Of course, the attackers fielded by Howe also need to take their portion of the blame after firing blanks throughout on the South Coast, as another underperforming member of the concerned manager’s starting XI worries about his first-team minutes moving forward.
The Newcastle flop who should be dropped
It was a tough day at the office for the Newcastle forward players, but Jacob Murphy did manage to show some flashes of his quality here and there.
In all fairness, the long-standing Magpies servant looked somewhat bright for his hour run-out against Andoni Iraola’s stern hosts, with Murphy at least coming away from the bore draw with a shot on target registered, on top of also completing a dribble when trying to catch out the Cherries defence.
It would, however, be one of Murphy’s attacking partners for the day in Nick Woltemade, who would notably struggle throughout, despite plenty of praise coming the ex-Stuttgart centre-forward’s way before the match got underway.
After all, it’s not as if the 6 foot 6 monster has the pressure of attempting to break his Magpies duck weighing down on him, with a debut goal coming his way in the Premier League versus Wolverhampton Wanderers when he graced the St James’ Park turf.
Yet, away from grappling well in one instance when having his shirt pulled by a Bournemouth man for a potential penalty, it was very much a forgettable second outing for Woltemade in the top-flight, as is illustrated in the table above.
It will all centre on the mountain man trying to find some consistency moving forward, with his shooting boots presumably forgetting to be packed for the long journey down to the South Coast, as Woltemade failed to register a single meaningful shot at the home side’s goal.
Even more concerningly, the below-par number 27 also struggled to put his towering frame to good use, with only four of his 14 duels being successfully won, per Sofascore.
Willock, at least, came away from his shoddy showing with six duels won under his belt, with Woltemade also losing possession 19 times, while his midfield teammate gave up the ball just nine times.
Despite all these worrying numbers, the German would be handed a 6/10 post-match rating by Newcastle World’s Jordan Cronin, although Cronin did state that his performance “dipped” in the second 45 minutes.
After ringing the changes to try and freshen his side up did not work, it could well be that Howe reverts to what he knows more for Newcastle’s upcoming contest in the league against Arsenal, with Willock at risk of being dropped against his former side, alongside Woltemade potentially sitting the clash out back on home soil.
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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.
