The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
A lot riding on the FA Cup for Howe and the Magpies
CUP SEEMS BEST WAY TO SECURE EUROPEAN PLACE
the immediate aftermath of the FA Cup win at Ewood Park whether there was any extra weight to his words.
The Chronicle asked Howe if he was talking about his own position or about certain members of the squad needing to win the cup to essentially secure their place at United next season.
Howe quickly toned down such suggestions and stated that he was talking about the uncertainty of life in the cup.
With Newcastle drawing Man City in the last eight though, it is not unfair to suggest that the Magpies’ best chance of Europe – with qualification looking like a bare minimum requirement for Howe to stave off internal pressure – is going to be via the Premier
League.
Of course, the City tie is not a write-off, with 8,000 Newcastle fans heading to the Etihad Stadium and aiming to make it feel as significant as the final itself.
There’s a chance that the tie might even coincide with Nick Pope’s return to action and if Howe is putting all his eggs in one basket, you’d think the England stopper will be back then.
Newcastle fans remain right behind Howe, they chanted his name loudly at Blackburn for long periods and during the home clash with AFC Bournemouth, he was also backed vocally. That’s not even up for debate. Externally, Howe has been questioned with Talksport’s Drivetime show debating what is deemed good enough for a Newcastle side that has had £400million ploughed into it. Pundit Darren Bent said: “I think the fans are behind Eddie, but if they don’t win the FA Cup and finish 10th, I think the owners will look at it and think, hmm are we moving forward?”
And while that type of situation still remains possible, it is always going to be open season for managers who fancy a crack at the Premier League to push their cases.
Nagelsmann, who is currently in charge of Germany but considering his options, has been linked with Liverpool and a return to Bayern Munich, if he was interested in Newcastle that would be a surprise to many.
But for now, it is all about what happens on the field. And Howe has full control over that.
As things stand United sit 10th going into a tough home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. If ever Newcastle needed three points at home, it’s on Saturday because would propel them right back into contention for Europe.
The FA Cup hopes can come later. But for now, the season is all about beating Wolves then getting something at Chelsea in the March 11 date at Stamford Bridge.