And that is that. After what may very well be regarded as a season-defining 1-0 victory against West Ham on Monday, Newcastle United is set to close the curtains until the end of the week. They are gearing up for a momentous opportunity to end a 70-year trophy drought in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this weekend.
In an effort to maintain a sense of normalcy leading up to this significant match, the club has postponed a mandatory pre-final press conference until Friday, aiming to keep the atmosphere as “low-key” as possible.
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The media obligations were wrapped up last week, and players have noticeably distanced themselves from overly sentimental discussions about what this final means to their friends and families. The ticket sales process has also been streamlined to alleviate the pressure of constant requests for spare seats for Sunday’s match.
The underlying message? Diminish the sense of occasion. It’s just another game.
As the city and its supporters buzz with excitement—evidenced by the planned gathering of tens of thousands of traveling fans in Covent Garden on Saturday night—there is a distinct contrast in how Newcastle is preparing for their Wembley encounter with Liverpool compared to their approach two years ago when they faced Manchester United. Back then, the media was welcomed into the club’s indoor training facility, with desks set up for interviews and players rotating between media, broadcast, and local press. It was a lively affair, akin to a mini-NFL Super Bowl scenario, amplifying the sense that this was something beyond the ordinary.
Looking back at the Amazon documentary chronicling that season, one can see then co-owner Amanda Staveley embracing the emotional gravity of the moment, taking a stroll through the city to admire window displays. Heartfelt letters from players’ family members expressing their pride in potential achievements were shared just a day before the final. The ownership group even slipped out of their hotel to capture smartphone photos of the throngs of Newcastle fans reveling in Trafalgar Square.
Was it all perhaps a bit overwhelming? That seems to be the conclusion drawn by Eddie Howe and his current squad, who completed their first task of Wembley week with a hard-fought victory in east London. This win is as significant as any they’ve had in the Premier League this season, especially following a tough defeat to Brighton and a week riddled with injury concerns. Although the performance was somewhat disjointed—lacking the fluency displayed when they bested Arsenal over two legs to reach the final—it was crucial in the context of Newcastle’s ongoing pursuit of a Champions League spot. Moreover, it showcased the mental resilience of this group, which will be essential come Sunday.
Howe may not frequently discuss it, but he is keenly focused on the mental aspects of the game. He connects with his players on a psychological level and holds regular, candid one-on-one feedback sessions where they are encouraged to engage in self-reflection. Those discussions have been instrumental, insiders say, in helping Howe navigate through a couple of significant dips in form this season.
Additionally, there is Dr. Ian Mitchell, the club’s esteemed head of psychology, who joined in 2023 and plays a vital role behind the scenes, contributing to Howe’s methods. It’s hard to imagine he hasn’t influenced how Newcastle can overcome the mental barriers that hindered them in the past.
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No one understands the pressure felt by the city better than Dan Burn, a lifelong Newcastle supporter now proudly representing his hometown club. As a former season ticket holder, he has previously mentioned to his teammates that they would become “immortal” in Newcastle if they were the squad that finally brought home a trophy.
Burn senses a different vibe this time around. “We’re full of confidence going into the final, and I don’t think it will be the same as last time,” Burn asserts. “It was very emotional two years ago, not just for the players, but for the entire city. This time, it feels like we belong here.”
“It might have been a surprise that we reached the final last time, whereas now we believe we should be doing this consistently. It’s much more ‘business-as-usual’ from our perspective. I know there’ll be a lot of external noise, but internally, we’re treating it like any other game.”
Burn was speaking at the North East Football Writers Awards last weekend, shortly after a disheartening loss to Brighton that left the squad reeling. This defeat created a palpable sense of uncertainty about facing Liverpool, arguably the top team in the Premier League and perhaps all of Europe. However, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali in their ranks, they possess players who can hold their own against anyone.
If they can regain their form and confidence, capitalize on a few fortunate breaks, and master the mental side of the game, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they could defy the odds and finally end their lengthy wait for a trophy. “The team that finally gets it over the line will become absolute legends, and rightly so,” Burn reflects. He surveys the dressing room and sees players performing at the peak of their abilities. “I feel like we have a squad capable of achieving this regularly. It would be a tremendous disappointment if this group of lads couldn’t be the ones to finally bring it home.”
