Newcastle United headed into their first major cup final in 24 years full of confidence last weekend. Oddschecker, which compares English football odds and free offers, made them underdogs for the League Cup clash against Manchester United at Wembley, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the traveling Geordies one bit. What did dampen their spirits, however, were two goals in six first-half minutes from Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and the in-form Marcus Rashford.
As such, the tie was as good as done by halftime, but the Magpies still gave it their all throughout the second half. In the end it wasn’t to be, and it was the Red Devils that picked up their first piece of silverware in six years, rather than the Toon. But all hope is not lost, and there is still plenty to play for throughout the remainder of the campaign. As such, Eddie Howe must rally the troops.
European Qualification Very Much On
A first season in the UEFA Champions League in two decades is very much on the cards. That should serve as plentiful motivation for Howe. The Magpies are currently four points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur with two games in hand. Win these games, and Newcastle are back in the top four with barely a third of the season remaining.
One problem for Howe is his side’s current form. The Tyneside club is without a win in their last four matches and has won just one of their last seven. To make matters worse, the Magpies have netted just three goals in the seven games they’ve played since New Year’s Eve. But, with Swedish striker Alexander Isak steadily regaining fitness, the hope is that he will find his shooting boots as soon as he is fully match-fit. Then the goals will begin to fly.
In the coming weeks, United have a number of winnable fixtures on the horizon. They host struggling Wolves at St. James’ Park on March 12th before traveling to in-form Nottingham Forest eight days later. They will also host relegation-threatened West Ham United at the start of April in another more than winnable fixture.
Those are three games in which Newcastle could, and should, pick up three victories. And if they do that, they may indeed return to the promised land sooner than expected. Failing wouldn’t be catastrophic, but who wants to play in the Europa League when the Champions League is right there, ready and waiting?