The Magpies were beaten 2-1 in France on Tuesday night, with Anthony Gordon starting up front<\/a> ahead of Nick Woltemade.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old struggled to impact proceedings, but he was the only option to play centrally with Woltemade being rested. Yoane Wissa and Will Osula remain injured<\/a>, much to Newcastle\u2019s frustration.<\/p>\n But are Newcastle United<\/a> missing the player who turned his back on them and downed tools this summer? Martin Keown thinks so.<\/p>\n Who was the most DISAPPOINTING Newcastle player vs Marseille? Martin Keown says Alexander Isak is a \u2018huge loss\u2019 for Newcastle United<\/p>\n Keown was asked about Newcastle United\u2019s problems following their defeat to Marseille on the TNT Sports Champions League Goal Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n He believes that Isak\u2019s departure is the problem, despite the 26-year-old\u2019s struggles since arriving at Liverpool.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Isak. I know he\u2019s not really doing it for Liverpool but he looks a huge loss for Newcastle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cGordon looked sharp in that first half, but you need a specialist centre-forward with pace. It\u2019s not quite there. It doesn\u2019t fit them with their game type.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is about pace and counterattacking. Lots of big games for Newcastle [to come].\u201d<\/p>\n Are Newcastle missing Alexander Isak? <\/p>\n Martin Keown on TNT Sports<\/p>\n \u201cNo Isak. I know he\u2019s not really doing it for Liverpool, but he looks a huge loss for Newcastle.\u201d<\/p>\n Newcastle United are still adapting to life without Alexander Isak<\/p>\n Since replacing Isak with Woltemade, Newcastle United have been forced to change their style.<\/p>\n In Isak, Newcastle had a player who could run in behind and cause problems with his pace. In Woltemade, Newcastle now have a player who is a focal point and can create as well as score. <\/p>\n The 23-year-old has a very different skillset to Isak, but one thing he does not have is the Sweden international\u2019s blistering pace.<\/p>\n That is the key reason why Eddie Howe<\/a> has had to change his side\u2019s tactical approach. It remains a work in progress, but Woltemade continues to be impactful whenever he is on the pitch.<\/p>\n That was certainly the case against Marseille, with the Germany international\u2019s presence leading to Newcastle\u2019s best chances in the second half. Unfortunately, none of them were converted.<\/p>\n Given his actions, no Toon fan will bemoan Isak\u2019s exit. The major issue is the lack of depth through the middle, with Wissa<\/a> still yet to make his debut for the club.<\/p>\n![\"Newcastle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2248438515-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images<\/p>\n