Newcastle United will be in the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday night.
That, frankly, is all that matters for Newcastle.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side – despite sweeping changes – made a good week even better on Saturday evening.
Newcastle beat Birmingham 3-2 in a classic FA Cup fourth-round tie. Played at a high tempo in a hostile atmosphere, the game had almost everything.
Joe Willock’s first goal against Birmingham was controversial, given there were some doubts as to whether or not the ball crossed the line. Still, wherever you stand on that debate, the fact is that it counted.
It was promising to see some of the fringe players in Howe’s squad impress. Clearly, it wasn’t the most perfect of displays but to come in reasonably cold and get through a battle was a testament to their character.
Eddie Howe praises two Newcastle United fringe players for FA Cup win over Birmingham
Willock actually bagged a brace against the Blues, while Callum Wilson marked his first start in what felt like an age with a goal at St Andrew’s, too.
Though both have played leading roles in the team during their Newcastle careers, there’s little doubt the two are on the fringes of Howe’s first-team, both because of the success of the current starting XI and their respective injuries.
However, the Newcastle United manager was full of praise for the pair, admitting it was a risk to have made such big changes.
“We made changes and there’s always a slight risk in doing that but I felt we absolutely had to physically and mentally,” he said.
“And I was pleased with some of the players that came in, they did well. Joe Willock, Callum Wilson in particular I thought stood out for us.”
Callum Wilson sends timely reminder to Newcastle United
Howe believes Newcastle would have struggled to sign a player as good as Wilson in January.
Though a goal against a League One club, no matter how much they’ve spent, isn’t likely to prove too much – it does at least raise Wilson’s confidence.
Few can doubt his ability to score goals and it’s promising to see him back amongst them. If Wilson can stay fit – and that’s a big ‘if’ – he could be a very useful outlet for the rest of the campaign.
The same can be said for Willock, too.
With them available, Newcastle are in a much stronger place.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
