While Newcastle have lost cup finals before, something feels different about Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
Unlike in 1999, there is a real feeling that this is just the start for Eddie Howe’s team. Having reached Wembley with a raft of players who only a year or so ago were battling relegation, the idea of returning to the grandest stage of them all is hardly remote.
Indeed, it is not only the fact that Newcastle have money that makes the prospect of returning to Wembley so realistic. It is how they spend that money, and the work Howe does in making it go further.
Howe’s post-Wembley message
Speaking after the final defeat, Howe said: “[Watching Manchester United lift the trophy] was a pain you have to take and a pain you have to use. We have to absorb everything we’ve experienced.
“It only fires me up even more to try and be successful and try to drive the team forward. I certainly won’t rest for a second in my pursuit to improve Newcastle.”
Why things are so positive for Newcastle
Newcastle have had only three transfer windows to revamp a squad almost constantly battling relegation. One of those was spent drafting in players to beat the drop only months into PIF’s tenure, while the other two came all while balancing FFP restrictions.
Not only will things improve of the field in terms of how Newcastle can spend their money, it is (so far at least) obvious that such funds are in the right hands.
That, coupled with Howe’s obvious ability to improve players already at the club, points to a hugely exciting future.
Rarely have they made a misstep under Howe’s watch and it will be fascinating to see how they develop going forward, spurred on by the defeat at Wembley.
Everything is there for Newcastle to avenge their loss in the coming years.
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