NEWCASTLE fired a blank in front of £69million new boy Nick Woltemade and remain winless after a stalemate at Leeds.
The German international, 23, watched on as Toon’s powderpuff attack failed to find a way past the newly-promoted Whites.
Woltemade appeared to be itching to get involved as he sat suited and booted, top button undone, in the Elland Road stands.
And there is no doubt this Newcastle side will benefit massively once he swaps the whistle and flute for his new black and white number in a fortnight against Wolves.
But even with his monster 6ft 6in frame bolstering the attack, Toon still desperately need a new No.9 to help the big man.
It remains to be seen whether that will be Alexander Isak, the on-strike Swede who refused to play again here, or somebody else.
If last season’s top scorer gets his dream move to Liverpool, then it is likely to be out of either Yoane Wissa or Jorgen Strand Larsen – both of whom were absent for Brentford and Wolves respectively.
But fresh from his goal against the Reds in midweek, Will Osula was given the nod here, and for all of his efforts, the raw and unpolished Dane is not the answer if Eddie Howe’s men hope to repeat last term’s accomplishments and go far in the Champions League.
The 22-year-old, making his first Prem start for the Magpies, squandered Toon’s first opportunity.
It came courtesy of Jacob Ramsey’s drive down the left, and the recent acquisition from Aston Villa found Osula ten yards out, but the forward couldn’t get it out of his feet quick enough and his tame effort was blocked and cleared.
It was a chance that will have had Woltemade licking his lips – while Howe was pulling his hair out.
Despite all of the uncertainty over which striker he will have at his disposal come Tuesday, there was one nailed on bet – Sean Longstaff would definitely be up for this one against his old employers.
The midfielder, 27, was frozen out by Howe last term before leaving his boyhood club following 19 years of service for Leeds last month.
And he didn’t take long to get going, producing a cracking sliding challenge to stop Jacob Murphy’s breakaway.
Another on Bruno Guimaraes moments later was followed by a coming together that left Ramsey needing treatment, demonstrating exactly where his allegiances lie these days.
In a first half lacking real quality for either side up top, those at least got the adrenaline pumping for his side.
Though Newcastle aren’t the only ones lacking punch up top.
Daniel Farke, who left summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench after he missed a sitter and blazed a penalty over in the midweek cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, has made no secret of his desire for more attacking reinforcements.
Though if Lucas Nmecha was Woltemade’s size he would surely have managed to get a touch on Wilfried Gnonto’s low cross to break the deadlock early.
Leeds’ own towering 6ft 4in German Anton Stach tried his luck too, but he could only rifle wide from 20 yards with his team’s first real sight of goal.
The hosts had Newcastle penned back as the break approached, but Dan James and Jayden Bogle got in each other’s way as they tried to meet Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross at the back post.
But even without powerhouse Joelinton in midfield, Toon were up for the fight as the rain lashed down.
Though Jacob Murphy’s stinging strike that stung the palms of Lucas Perri was the best they could muster.
And Fabian Schar’s 30-yarder into row Z of the Don Revie Stand just about summed the game up.
Madonna’s Hung Up blasted out of the PA system at half time, and it didn’t half feel like Time Goes By, So Slowly as all of Elland Road waited for some magic.
It was almost the perfect storm, but it was all thunder and no lightning and not many were betting against nil-nil come the start of the second half.
Murphy nearly struck, but Perri brilliantly tipped his 25-yard piledriver wide in the winger’s last meaningful contribution.
Changes were coming for both sides, and there was a huge cheer when Calvert-Lewin entered the fray, though they were soon followed by groans after a heavy touch from Jack Harrison’s through-ball.
The Toon Army could have been forgiven for thinking the worst once the ex-Everton ace was introduced given how long he was linked with a move to St. James’.
But Nick Pope denied him a first Leeds goal by saving his left-footed shot in the dying seconds as neither the home side nor Newcastle could conjure up a winner.
Farke at least has the consolation of a second-straight clean sheet at Elland Road – especially after shipping five at Arsenal.
But for Howe, the clock is ticking in his quest to solve Toon’s striking woes as the Magpies continue to wait for their first win of the season.
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