Pundit issues ‘massive’ Newcastle United claim after new development
Noel Whelan has claimed the League Cup is “up for grabs” and should be a priority for Newcastle United this season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Eddie Howe should go against his principles by taking the domestic cup competitions seriously.
Newcastle sealed their place in the quarter-final of the League Cup by recording a 1-0 win over Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Tuesday (20 December).
Howe has never gone past the quarter-finals of the competition as a manager and has reached the fifth round of the FA Cup on just two occasions.
As manager of Bournemouth he was known for making wholesale changes to his starting eleven – instead choosing to prioritise the Premier League.
Big-spending Newcastle sit third in the top-flight after losing just one of their 15 games before the mid-season World Cup break.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “The trophy is up for grabs and Newcastle are in a really good position to go and do it.
“It’s been a long, long time since they’ve had success and brought a major trophy back to St James’ Park.
“This should be something that is very firmly in the minds of Eddie Howe and the players.
“Winning a trophy this season would just be another tick in the box, another success – and it would show that the transfers and the new set-up is working.
“It’d give the fans a special day out, as well.
“The Premier League is massive, but they’re well ahead of the game.
“Liverpool and Man City are two giants playing one another in this competition – so you never know what can happen in the last few rounds.”
In other news, expert claims Newcastle should be “extremely concerned” by Alexander Isak latest.