Carabao Cup final opposition view: Newcastle writer discusses Eddie Howe dilemma and plotting Man Utd revenge

Ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, we caught up with Joe Buck of the Shields Gazette to discuss all things Newcastle United.

The Magpies writer gave us the lowdown on the team’s form, highlighted a key man, discussed the goalkeeper situation and explained why it would be so sweet for Newcastle to beat Manchester United this weekend…

What has Newcastle’s journey to the final looked like?

Newcastle have beaten Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Leicester City and Southampton to reach the final. This may not seem like the toughest of routes to a final, however, it has involved beating four Premier League teams and coming through a tricky tie away at a League Two team in August.

Southampton did Newcastle a huge favour in knocking out Manchester City in the quarter-finals, of course, but there’s no doubting they have earned their shot at Wembley. Nick Pope’s penalty heroics against Palace and Bruno Guimaraes’ red card against the Saints aside, it has been a relatively comfortable route to Wembley.

The Magpies’ form has been a little underwhelming of late - why is that? Is now a good time to face Newcastle?

I think now is probably the best time to face Newcastle this season. They’re still a tough unit to beat, but they lack prolificacy in-front of goal. Their six league games in 2023 have produced one win, four draws and one defeat with just three goals scored in that time. Callum Wilson just hasn’t hit the goal scoring heights many hoped would come from him this season, Miguel Almiron’s stunning run in front of goal was never going to last and Alexander Isak is still adapting to English football.

However, all of this might change with the return of Bruno Guimaraes on Sunday. Newcastle are far from a one-man team, but they haven’t won in the league this year without the Brazilian. His impact on the side is massive and he will be the key man for Newcastle’s hopes on Sunday.

How pleased are Newcastle fans with Eddie Howe? It’s been quite the turnaround under his watch…

The turnaround under Howe has been simply sensational, but it isn’t just the results on the pitch as to why fans love him. He just seems to get the club, the demands of the fanbase and what is required to be Newcastle manager. Whatever the result on Sunday, Howe will continue to have the support of every Magpies fan.

Newcastle’s co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have also previously revealed their wishes for Howe to become Newcastle’s Sir Alex Ferguson - it’s a high bar, but the first 18 months have been a near-perfect start from the former Cherries man.

What’s the reaction been on Tyneside to Nick Pope’s suspension? And will Loris Karius play?

I think many on Tyneside just think this is typical Newcastle. Just as everything was going well, a major spanner has been thrown into the works. Pope is going to be a huge miss. He’s played a major role for Newcastle this year with all of their successes being built on a strong defence - something that is going to be majorly tested this weekend. Loris Karius is almost certain to play. He will always be remembered for that Champions League final but this is his shot at redemption - fingers crossed he can take the chance.

What team are Newcastle likely to play on Sunday - will there be any surprises?

Howe has tended to name a very settled starting XI this season and so I would be hugely surprised if there are too many changes, barring the enforced goalkeeper alteration. They have the best defensive record in the Premier League and so anything other than a Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn back four would be a major surprise.

Sean Longstaff, who scored a brace in the semi-final second leg, will likely play with the Brazilian duo of Guimaraes and Joelinton in midfield. Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin will probably start out wide. The only major call Howe has to make is who he starts up front with both Wilson and Isak champing at the bit. I think Howe will opt for the experience of Wilson.

And do the Magpies see it as a big boost that United have such a big game on Thursday night?

If Pope’s injury puts United at an advantage, then their game with Barcelona just three days before the final certainly levels the playing field a little. I think the whole of Newcastle was praying for extra-time and penalties at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

United have waited a long time for a trophy, but most Newcastle fans have never seen their side lift major silverware. Can you sum up what it would mean for the team to win on Sunday?

A win on Sunday would mean the world and something many would struggle to put into words. United have been waiting almost six years for a trophy, but that’s nothing compared to our long, long 54-year wait for major silverware. The takeover of the club has suddenly raised hopes and it feels like they just need to get that first trophy ticked off before they can head into what should be a hugely exciting era. A win on Sunday, against United no less, would also help in erasing the demons of all our failed attempts at silverware in the 90s.