For all the recent talk of top four pushes and transfer dilemmas, Eddie Howe is laser-focused on a very different topic at Newcastle United.
Cup fever has struck Tyneside in recent days and even though Saturday’s defeat to Fulham has added a dash of extra nerves to Wednesday’s night St James’ Park showdown, there is optimism in the air that Newcastle can again reach Wembley as they bid to end their lengthy cup hoodoo.
2023 and the February defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final was a weekend many will never forget – despite the nature of the performance and result. For Howe, it has been ammunition to return and finish the job with the black and white outfit.
Ever since he arrived in the north east back in 2021, the former Bournemouth boss has never wavered on his stance regarding cup competitions. Despite relegation fights and tense top four chases, Howe has never sought to field a weaken team or disregard the domestic cups as a waste of time, energy and resources – as other managers often have.
Instead, it remains his goal to be the first Newcastle manager since 1955 to lift a piece of domestic silverware aloft and deliver ‘something special’ for the fanbase.
“It’s what we’re here for,” Howe told reporters recently. “I made it very clear when I came to Newcastle that it’s what I wanted to achieve. I speak on behalf of the players and coaching staff in that respect.
He added: “These games take on huge importance when you get towards the latter stages. The team knows they must maintain high performance levels to compete with any division rival.
“I think the willingness has been there from previous teams, but we want to be the team that can get over the line and achieve something special.”
As mentioned, the home defeat to Marco Silva’s Fulham in recent days, while Arsenal ran riot against Manchester City on Sunday to provide Mikel Arteta’s dressing room with a timely confidence boost, was not the ideal preparation.
Yet Howe is not letting the defeat derail his pre-Arsenal plans as he holds out hope that both the quick turnaround and significance of the occasion will mean the Premier League reversal can be quickly forgotten about as fans book their travel and accommodation in the capital for mid-March.
“We’ve had very little time to dwell on that defeat,” he said on Tuesday. “I think it was one of those moments where, of course, we analysed it and reflected on it, but then very quickly had to move forward to the game in the week, which is a good thing for us to put that game away.
“Now we can focus on the future – a bright future hopefully for us. A massive game, massive incentive for us to go into this game with a clear head, and I think that’s what we needed.”
Will it inspire a better atmosphere? Quite possibly. The noise inside St James’ Park should be deafening – as it often is for these sorts of clashes.
Half days will no doubt have been put in with employers and fan group Wor Flags have again called on matchgoing supporters to bring their scarves to improve the atmosphere.
As for the dressing room, Howe will need not remind his senior stars of the magnitude of this game. They will no doubt share his longing to be part of the first team to lift a trophy in black and white for 70 years.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-wants-something-special-30935148
