Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Brentford - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - October 8, 2022 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Journalist George Caulkin has claimed on Pod on the Tyne that people at Newcastle United are struggling not to think about anything other than their cup final later this month.
The Lowdown: Worrying form heading to Wembley
Since the turn of the year, Newcastle have seriously struggled for form, although they are on a 17-game unbeaten run that stretches back to August.
The Magpies have drawn five out of their last six games in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in those games – which may be down to the fact that some players and members of staff have one eye on next weekend’s Carabao Cup final.
It’s only natural that some people will be looking forward to Wembley as the Magpies have not played a cup final there since 1999, although it could well be coming at the expense of their league form.
The Latest: Newcastle focusing on the cup final
Caulkin has claimed that a lot of people in and around the club are fixated on their upcoming clash at Wembley amid a mad scramble to land tickets and their worrying on-pitch form.
He said: “I just wanted to say, if everybody is a little bit distracted by the thought of Wembley, then join the club. Because I can’t think about anything else, and the club can’t think about anything else, and fans can’t think about anything else – if you look at the rush for tickets and all the rest of it.
“Players are only human. It has the potential to be life-changing for all of us who might be there, or part of the club, or who follow the club. And for these players, it’s the chance to be immortalised. It’s a massive deal.”
The Verdict: Howe must keep everyone focussed
Eddie Howe will be taking it game by game, so will only have eyes on this weekend’s grudge match against Liverpool, who inflicted a late defeat on the Magpies earlier this season and saw tensions rise on the touchline towards the end of the match.
However, he must ensure that the players are fully committed to this weekend’s game and not think about saving themselves for Wembley, as that could lead to serious injuries if they aren’t fully committed to training or tackles during Saturday’s clash.
If Newcastle can beat a top-four rival just a game before they head to the capital for their biggest match of the season, it could give all the players and supporters a huge amount of confidence after a recent stutter in form.
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