Newcastle have the chance to silence the doubters on Sunday though some of the criticism is fairly guided.
An ‘Overlap’ panel consisting of Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Jill Scott gathered around to reach a bleak conclusion as they predicted how the Carabao Cup final would transpire.
Liverpool will run out 2-0 winners seemed to be the general consensus unless Alexander Isak could get on the scoresheet, but the arguments as to why we will struggle are steeped in our past.
Newcastle fans’ desperation to end their 70-year domestic trophy drought may add to the pressure and the emotions of the squad, argues Rooney.
Preparations for this years final have differed to that of the past, with Eddie Howe taking a more measured approach behind the scenes to keep the players focused on on-field matters.There is definitely a buzz amongst the city though, something the Manchester United legend argues may be a factor that can actually work agai
Rooney said: “I was with Shearer and Clattenburg yesterday and I was thinking – I know it’s a cup final, but I think for a player I can imagine being in the city and them all doing the same thing. Like ‘Jesus,’ it’s tough.”
Does the sense of enormity – caused by our well-documented trophy drought and the added pressure – impact the player’s ability to perform at Wembley? Neville discusses this below:
“Newcastle never play well at Wembley!” 👀
Silverware is at stake this weekend! 🏆
Who’s getting their hands on the trophy? Lock in your @Super6 prediction today! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qy4Cj6nua1
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) March 14, 2025
In the same conversation, Neville begged the question of whether or not Newcastle have ever played well at Wembley, telling the squad they have to ‘turn up’ on Sunday after 2-0 defeats in our last three visits in 1998, 1999 and 2023.
“Newcastle never play well at Wembley. Have Newcastle ever played well at Wembley?” Asked Neville. “When you watch Newcastle at Wembley you see all these fans who have travelled down for six/seven hours, you think ‘Go on, give them something. Surprise them.’
“They’ve got to turn up. 98 they didn’t turn up, 99 they didn’t turn up. Is it the pressure and wait of being there?”
It’s fair, in a way. Memories of watching the Lads under the arches haven’t exactly been the fondest over the years, but this is a chance to rewrite the script, to further change our identity and to finally lift a domestic trophy after a lengthy hiatus.
HWTL.