In the fallout of the Carabao Cup final celebrations and international break, it feels like it’s been an age since we watched Eddie Howe and Newcastle United actually play a game of football.
The Toon return to Premier League action for the first of the final 10 games of the season against Thomas Frank’s Brentford, who boast an exceptional away record as of late.
And club legend Alan Shearer has given some insight into just how Howe’s side have prepared in the buildup to Wednesday night’s game.
Shearer reveals Howe’s pre-Brentford plans
------------------------------------------
Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Shearer revealed that he had spoken to Eddie Howe during Saturday’s celebrations, hinting that the club remain ultra focused on the season ahead even after the jubilation of finally ending their major trophy drought.
In typical Howe fashion to ensure we head into our final 10 games in the best shape possible, he used part of the post-Wembley trip to Dubai as a chance to celebrate with the team, but asked them not to drink on Saturday and has been strict with training sessions ever since.
Shearer said: “They’ve got Brentford on Wednesday and they trained yesterday (Saturday).
“They’re training today (Sunday), they’re training Monday, they’re training Tuesday, and they’re training Wednesday morning as well because Eddie had taken them to Dubai and he said, “no, that’s your party”.
Shearer also revealed that Howe didn’t allow any of his players to drink alcohol during Saturday’s celebrations, another sign of just how much the gaffer is prioritising a strong return to form after the break.
Shearer’s Champions League optimism
-----------------------------------
Further speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer has expressed a strong sense of optimism over Newcastle finishing 5th and securing Champions League football for next season.
The record goal-scorer commented on the club’s hopes: “They’ve got a really good chance now (of finishing in the top five). The feeling and belief can hopefully carry them through and get them into Champions League football.”
Currently sitting in 6th place just behind Chelsea and Manchester City, the Magpies can hope that each sides own cup competition pursuits (Chelsea in the Conference League and Man City in the FA Cup) can allow Newcastle to capitalise on having less games and build on their Carabao Cup momentum to full effect.
Howe won’t let standards slip ahead of 10 cup finals
----------------------------------------------------
Though Newcastle have the safety cushion of UEFA Conference League football next season, for the sake of revenue and enticing big players to join in the summer, securing Champions League football would be a monumental achievement for Howe’s side.
Newcastle have shown that they excel during the ‘business end’ of the season over the last two campaigns, and beat Wednesday’s opponents on the final day last season to guarantee 7th place.
There’s a clear mentality within the squad, a fire lit by the triumphs against Arsenal and Liverpool en-route to Carabao Cup glory, that the club are on the precipice of being a true force in the Premier League: a win on Wednesday against Brentford will only intensify that fire.