Eddie Howie’s Newcastle are having Wembley dreams
BIRKENHEAD: Nothing stirs the spirits like a cup run — and few clubs are in dire need of one as much as Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe has repeatedly parroted his want for the Magpies to end a 22-year wait for a trip to Wembley, and his side are one step closer this morning, having seen off lower league Tranmere Rovers in round two of the Carabao Cup.
One of English football’s most storied clubs has never won the League Cup, in any of its sponsorship guises, and their wait for a trophy of any note domestically stretches back to 1955. Their last chance at even getting close was 2005, where they were humbled by Manchester United in a Cardiff-hosted FA Cup semifinal.
But this Newcastle is a progressive one, built of new parts. It no longer dwells in the past, and sees progress and even silverware, as attainable.
And Howe is allowing himself to dream, having seen goals from Jamaal Lascelles and Chris Wood turn things around at Prenton Park, after Elliott Nevitt had given the League Two hosts an unlikely lead.
“We had to pick a team we thought would get us through the tie after a tough game on Sunday. I know if I’d picked the same players we would have lost that game, because the players were fatigued.
“We had to stand up and be counted.
“We know we have a responsibility on our shoulders. We have highlighted to the players how important a cup run is.
“Our approach is to treat every game with the same importance.”
Newcastle’s reward for the victory is an all-Premier League clash with Crystal Palace in round three.
Howe made 10 changes to the side that went toe-to-toe with Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
One of those brought in from the fringes was Jacob Murphy and his pace caused headaches early