Newcastle United have a date with destiny on December 18th.
The Magpies face Brentford at St James’ Park that night, with the winner advancing to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
It is a competition that Newcastle United have taken very seriously since Eddie Howe’s arrival, having reached the final in 2023. They also almost made it to the semis last season, only to lose to Chelsea on penalties in the quarter-final.
The Newcastle United manager is desperate to end the Magpies’ trophy drought. The last time Newcastle won a trophy was 1969, with their last domestic honour coming in 1955.
Alan Shearer makes Newcastle United cup claim
Ahead of that game against Brentford, Toon legend Alan Shearer has spoken about clubs like Newcastle United needing to take cup competitions more seriously.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer was asked why teams like Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur do not target the cups and sometimes name weakened teams, despite enduring trophy droughts.
“I agree, totally agree,” he said.
“I do find it frustrating at times. I understand it to a certain degree from the manager’s point of view, because he’s got to keep all of his squad happy and finish higher in the league, which is then more beneficial financially to the chairman and the football club, which is a huge bonus as well.
“So, I understand all those things, but I’m of the same opinion of that, particularly teams like Tottenham and Newcastle, who really, really could do with a trophy.”
Eddie Howe looking to change Newcastle United’s history
Newcastle were guilty of having that kind of attitude towards the cups when Mike Ashley was the owner.
Premier League survival was the only priority, as that was what brought the club the most money. If it was a toss up between staying in the Premier League and winning a trophy, that regime would have picked survival every day of the week.
It was extremely frustrating for Newcastle United fans, who saw weakened sides crash out of the cups at the earliest stage possible.
But that attitude has disappeared since PIF bought the club from Ashley and appointed Howe as manager. The Magpies have only been on the end of one cup upset, being dumped out of the FA Cup in the third round by Sheffield Wednesday in 2023. Funnily enough, Howe named a weaker side at Hillsborough that night.
Other than that game, Howe has always ensured he takes the cups seriously. He recognises the need for silverware, and his players regularly talk about their desire to lift a trophy in a Newcastle United shirt.
Shearer finds some clubs’ attitude towards the cups very frustrating, and Newcastle United would have previously been one of those clubs. But that is changing, and there is no doubt that Howe will put out an extremely strong XI when Brentford arrive at St James’ Park on December 18th.
Newcastle’s trophy drought is ongoing, but it is not for the lack of trying. That is a step in the right direction, as Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United were not even trying.
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