It took 70 years for Newcastle United to end their wait to win a major domestic trophy last season, so the holders are certainly not going to give up the Carabao Cup without a fight.
Just as Tottenham manager Thomas Frank talked up how his side were “very eager to win more trophies” before Wednesday’s game at St James’ Park, opposite number Eddie Howe followed suit at his news conference on the eve of the game.
“It means a lot to us,” he said. “We’re the current holders so we don’t want to give up that easily.”
Howe clearly has a fine balance to strike.
This feels like an opportunity to give players such as Fabian Schar, Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and William Osula starts.
But it is also hard to envisage Howe making too many changes beyond that against a Spurs side who have been so strong on the road – not when Howe’s previous experience in the competition has only made him more determined to get back to Wembley.
“It’s made the desire to win even stronger,” he said. “Having gone through the experience of winning and the high you get and seeing the joy in everyone – whether that be the players, supporters, owners, seeing how that united the city and the celebrations – that can only make you want to experience that more.”
