· December 16 2024, 13:30
It's all about the Carabao Cup for Newcastle United right now with Brentford coming to St James' Park on Wednesday night for a quarter-final match.
Newcastle have developed quite an affinity for the league cup under Eddie Howe after he guided them to Wembley last year.
Even last season's cup run was decent despite getting drawn against "Big Six" opposition in every round.
This season Newcastle have overcome Premier League opposition twice to get to the quarter-finals with another Premier League opponent standing in their way of the two-legged semi-finals.
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Wor Flags at Wembley - A sight and a feeling Dan Burn wants back
Newcastle can never be accused of taking the easy route in the Carabao Cup
Newcastle once again come up against Brentford having just played them at the G-Tech Community Stadium just over a week ago where things didn't go according to plan for the Magpies.
That defeat should add a bit of extra spice to Wednesday's game - Newcastle will obviously want to progress in the cup, but they should also be out to settle the score from last week.
Lewis Hall has already spoken about how much it would mean to lift the cup this season and now Dan Burn has echoed those sentiments.
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Dan Burn sends motivation message to teammates ahead of Brentford clash
Talking to Newcastle World, Burn has said it helps that Newcastle have made it to the final before but like, Hall, his focus is on Brentford for now and Wembley later, especially given Newcastle's struggles to motivate themselves going into games against 'beatable' opposition.
"It helps knowing that we have been there and got to the final before. We know we have the experience to do it. It was a good draw for us at home to Brentford where we want to play.
“But Brentford are a very good team and it will be a challenge. We would love to string another cup run together. Going back to that time, the way that the city was, it just felt electric wherever you went. We want that back again."
"The challenge for us is consistency. We always seem to be where we need to be against the big teams. I never ever worry when we play Man City or Arsenal. It is easy to motivate yourself in those games.
“It is the games when you are up against the so-called lesser teams. That is the challenge, we need that same level of motivation - whether that's in the League Cup, FA Cup or Premier League."