Howe hopes the Magpies can take a step closer to ending their long trophy drought

Eddie Howe is desperately hoping his side can “do something special” and claim Newcastle’s first major piece of silverware in 69 years in the EFL Cup this season.

The Magpies have not won a domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup but go into tomorrow night’s quarter-final clash with Brentford as favorites to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Howe said: “It’s what we’re here for. When I came to Newcastle I made it very clear that’s what I wanted to achieve. I speak for the players and the coaching staff on that.

“When you get to this part of the competition, it’s important to recognize that this is our goal and what we’re trying to do. These games become very important when you reach the last stages.

“We want to be the team that can get over the line and achieve something special. As you go through the competition, these rounds are very tough and nothing will be taken for granted from us.”

Eddie Howe has been talking to the media before #NEWBRE in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup tomorrow 🗣️

You can watch today’s press conference live on the official Newcastle United app 📲 pic.twitter.com/CnMcZI3JvY

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 17, 2024

Run over by the bees in the last meeting

Newcastle faced Brentford in the Premier League earlier in the month, losing 4-2 in north-west London, but bounced back at the weekend with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Leicester City.

Howe said: “It’s an interesting game to look back on for a number of things. Brentford went to Chelsea and played a different system but they don’t stray too far from their principles.

“Ultimately, when you look back at the game, we weren’t where we needed to be in the defensive aspect of our game mainly, which was strange for us after Liverpool’s performance. It was good to see us back to our best defensively against Leicester, I think that will be the most important thing for us because we rely on each other to score goals.”

Given their desperation to end their trophy drought, Newcastle will likely go with a strong team tomorrow night.

“Every game is a cup final,” said Howe. “When you manage Newcastle you can’t afford to lose a game and certainly any team we pick has that vision – it’s always with the vision that I think this team can win and I’ll certainly try to do that tomorrow .”