Newcastle United hero Shay Given has likened Eddie Howe to Sir Bobby Robson as he looks to end the club’s trophy drought.
Howe’s team produced a convincing 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal to book their place in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. While fans excitedly make Wembley plans for March 16, Howe will want to avenge his team’s defeat in the 2023 final and become the first Newcastle boss in almost 70 years to win a major domestic trophy.
The trophy drought looked set to end throughout the 1990s as Kevin Keegan came close to winning the league, while Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit led the club to successive FA Cup finals. However, Given believes Howe has struck a similar note to iconic Newcastle boss Robson in allowing supporters to believe anything is possible.
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“I think there are similarities between Bobby Robson and Eddie Howe,” Given said at a LiveScore Live Fan Event in Liverpool. “I think Eddie Howe has been a breath of fresh air since he’s come in. He’s always said the right thing, in the right tone.
“He’s always been super positive in terms of not stopping the fans from dreaming of breaking this 70-year hoodoo now without a trophy. It’s been such a long time, but I think with Eddie Howe they’ve got the right man who could lead them to a trophy.
“In the League Cup final a couple of years ago, Dan Burn had a chance from a corner that went just wide, and [Allan] Saint-Maximin had a 1v1 with David De Gea, who made a great save.”
(Image: LiveScore)
Given started the 1998 FA Cup final before being benched for Steve Harper the following year. The subsequent arrival of Robson, who the ex-goalkeeper described as “a real top manager”, allowed supporters to dream once again, as they finished in the top four and competed in Europe. However, Given feels he knows why those talented Newcastle sides ultimately came up short.
“The reason is that we weren’t good enough is the bottom line,” Given admitted. “The team wasn’t good enough.” Reflecting on the bad luck Newcastle experienced in his two Wembley finals, Given hopes that Howe can finally get those key moments to fall their way.
“I think in finals, you just need little things to go for you,” he explained. “It’s amazing what it can do for the mentality of the players on the pitch and give belief that this is our day.
“We didn’t have that, and of course, two years ago, they didn’t have that. So I just hope that this season they can put that really barren run to bed and get their hands on a trophy.”
Newcastle may have a second opportunity to win a trophy after securing their place in the FA Cup fifth round, where they will host Brighton. However, Howe’s immediate focus will be on the Premier League as the team take on Manchester City in a potentially crucial clash in the battle for Champions League places.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-eddie-howe-bobby-robson-30987073
