Eddie Howe has told Newcastle to treat their 53-year silverware drought as a ‘driver’ rather than a burden.
The in-form Magpies, who have not won a major trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and last tasted domestic success in the 1955 final, face in the Carabao Cup third round at St James’ Park tonight.
Boss Howe is desperate to address that lack of honours after guiding Newcastle to top-flight safety last season before transforming them into Premier League top-four contenders.
Asked if their cup record was a burden, he replied: ‘I don’t know if burden is the right word. I try to look at it the other way, as it’s not been done for a long time and a chance to create, maybe, some of our own history here and leave a legacy of hopefully winning something.
‘That should be a driver, not a pressure that’s a negative on us. I try to look at it the other way.’
Previously, the club seemed happy just to stay up each season but Howe added: ‘You want to leave your mark in a positive way. You want to be remembered as someone who cared about the club and hopefully left the club in a better place.’
Eddie Howe praises Callum Wilson ahead of England selection
Eddie Howe has saluted Callum Wilson’s ‘brilliant mentality’ as he waits to see whether his latest battle to return from adversity will be rewarded with a call-up.
The 30-year-old is back in the Newcastle team and among the goals after a six-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, which came at the worst possible time as England boss assessed his options.
Wilson has previously fought his way back from two cruciate ligament ruptures and Magpies boss Howe, who gave him his chance in the top flight at Bournemouth, believes his fortitude and positivity would serve his country well in if he made it into Southgate’s squad.
He said: ‘Any player has those moments, those disappointments. I don’t think you will get to Callum’s stage of his career without injuries or moments of adversity.
‘But the key thing is how you respond to that and every time he has been faced with a difficult situation, he comes back stronger and better for it. I think that is the biggest compliment I can pay him.
‘He’s been brilliant for me all through my management career, and personally I think he’s an incredible character to have in a squad when you’re going to try and win a cup competition because he has a brilliant mentality to win it.’
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