Newcastle United have had some huge games this season. There have been mouth-watering ties in the Champions League and an FA Cup Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland.
However, there biggest is going to be Tuesday night’s trip to Ewood Park. Newcastle United face Blackburn Rovers for a place in the FA Cup quarter finals, in what will be a season-defining game for the Magpies.
After a horrendous display on Saturday night, Newcastle are now down to ninth in the Premier League. It is going to be extremely difficult for us to qualify for Europe, with the Magpies all but certain to miss out on Champions League football.
It has been a really challenging season, and now we know what will define success. The FA Cup is our last real hope, which is why there is so much riding on Tuesday night’s game.
That is not lost on Eddie Howe, who believes the game against Blackburn Rovers is Newcastle United’s biggest of the season.
Eddie Howe aware of FA Cup magnitude for Newcastle
Following Newcastle’s defeat to Arsenal, Eddie Howe spoke to the Athletic and summed up just how big Tuesday night’s game is.
“In really, really challenging situations, the players have really stuck together and we have to do that now for Blackburn,” he said.
“We have to look at this as the biggest game of our season. And yeah, there’s a lot resting on this next game.”
Newcastle under massive pressure against Blackburn Rovers
While Arsenal were incredible on Saturday night, Newcastle were rotten. There is a lot of dismay at the performance, which is why a response is vital in midweek.
Not only is it vital we respond, it is vital we advance to the next stage of the FA Cup. Losing to Premier League title challengers Arsenal is understandable, but exiting the cup to a Championship side will not be acceptable.
There is huge pressure on Newcastle United, who need to rise to the occasion. They did that so many times in the cup last season, but were usually cheered on by a capacity St James’ Park crowd.
This time they are playing away, but it might feel like a home game. That is because the Magpies are going to be backed by a sold out away end, with 7,000 Toon fans set to take up residency inside Ewood Park.
Howe’s players are going to get a lot of support – it is up to them to put on a performance and book Newcastle’s place in the final eight of the FA Cup.
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