Alan Shearer has delivered a message to the Newcastle United players ahead of our Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie against Arsenal tonight.
Newcastle were arguably the best we have been all season at the Emirates, clinical in attack and resilient in defence, but the two sides have differed in form since the first leg.
Two consecutive defeats at St James’ Park has fans one edge even despite the 2-0 lead, but Shearer has a clear message that the players simply must listen to.
Shearer’s message ahead of Arsenal clash
It is without doubt the biggest game of our season yet, and the players cannot afford another lacklustre performance against an attack that is in great form after a 5-1 win against Man City on Sunday.
A 2-0 lead gives us a huge advantage, but it is absolutely vital we start well, with Shearer hoping to see Howe’s side “full of energy, closing down and not giving the opposition any space.”
As Shearer rightly claims, a slow start to this second leg could end up being disastrous for us should the visitors grab an early goal, giving them the confidence to go on and score one or two more.
“I’m very twitchy,” he admitted on the Rest is Football podcast. “The one thing we don’t want is Arsenal to score early because I would bet the tension around the ground will be off the charts. It definitely would concern me because the previous home game against Bournemouth they got battered. They didn’t deserve anything out of yesterday’s game with Fulham.
“Another home game on Wednesday evening, a really, really important one. But they have got a 2-0 lead going into this one, which is slightly different. There’s not going to be a question of are they going to be up for it or the atmosphere or anything like that. So the atmosphere will be off the charts. But I think what is key is we must not concede an early goal.
“Newcastle’s game is at their best when they’re full on energy, closing down, not giving the opposition any space, playing on the front foot particularly at St James’ Park down the hill.
“It’s not going to be straightforward. I hope it is from a Newcastle point of view! I wouldn’t care if Newcastle didn’t win another game this season if they win on Wednesday night and the final. I’d be a happy man!’
A night that could define Newcastle’s season
With no new signings to lift the mood at St James’ Park in January, a result that sends us to Wemble could be huge for our momentum in the second half of this season.
Despite the recent defeats, we have still won 10 of our last 12 games, a feat that we would have snapped your hands off for after that defeat to Brentford in early December.
However, now is not the time to be complacent and it’s so important that we keep this good run of form going despite the significant lack of depth in the squad.
Becoming regulars in Europe and at Wembley is now even more imperative as we hope to try and persuade the likes of Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali to stick with the club for the long-term.