Newcastle last won a trophy when they lifted the old Fairs Cup in 1969 and Eddie Howe has them challenging on two fronts, with Chris Waddle predicting the wait could soon end
Chris Waddle has backed Eddie Howe to end Newcastle’s trophy drought, claiming his former club have waited too long for silverware.
Newcastle have one boot in the Carabao Cup Final after turning on the style to win at Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final. They also begin their FA Cup quest on Sunday against League Two Bromley at St James’ Park and Waddle feels Howe is making substantial progress in their wait to lift a trophy.
The Toon last tasted success when they lifted the old Fairs Cup in 1969 and have not won a domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1955. Waddle, who helped Newcastle win promotion to the top flight in 1984 during his five years at St James’ Park, feels Howe can succeed where so many other great managers failed and end their wait.
“We’ve been talking about Newcastle winning a trophy since 1969,” the former England winger told Prime Casino. “Eddie is in the same bracket as every other manager that’s gone to Newcastle. Bobby Robson had a great opportunity – it didn’t happen. Kevin Keegan – it didn’t happen.
“Obviously, Newcastle fell away a little bit over the years, but they’ve came back under Eddie, got into the Champions League and you think Eddie would be the man to end the trophy drought. I don’t know whether some clubs are jinxed or not. It doesn’t happen for Newcastle.
“It doesn’t happen for Tottenham either. They’re both in a semi-final of the League Cup and both teams are desperate for silverware. Newcastle need to win a trophy. It’s been far too long for a club of that size not to win a trophy.”
Newcastle are flying under Howe and they are the Premier League’s form team, having won their last seven games in all competitions, conceding just two goals. Alexander Isak is on fire and team-mate Anthony Gordon hailed the Sweden star as Europe’s best striker after he scored against Arsenal to maintain his hot streak.
Isak, 25, has netted seven times in his last five games and has 15 goals and four assists this season. Gordon, 23, has also hit form and he has six goals and five assists after netting at the Emirates. Howe has Newcastle playing with swagger and Waddle says the key is qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
“They’re the form team, they’re winning,” he said. “They rode their luck a bit against Tottenham, but with the way they’re playing, Eddie has got his first team settled now. Newcastle play high tempo, they go for it, they entertain, which the fans want up there.
“There’s going to be a point where people are going to say, ‘you’ve got to win something’. It’s already entertaining. Now listen, to get in the top four is winning something for me, it’s the equivalent.
“If Newcastle can get back in the Champions League, we’re talking big bucks and that allows you to bring in better players. You can build on that and advance.”
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