The Athletic FC Podcast: "Can Newcastle Finally End Their Trophy Drought?"

Release Date: February 7, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Adam Leventhal delves deep into Newcastle United's quest to break their long-standing trophy drought. Joined by senior writer George Culkin and football writer Tim Spears, the discussion navigates through recent performances, managerial tactics, player dynamics, and upcoming fixtures that could define Newcastle's season.

1. Newcastle United’s Journey to the Carabao Cup Final

George Culkin provides an insightful analysis of Newcastle's recent semi-final against Arsenal, emphasizing the transition from "old Newcastle" to a more disciplined and formidable team.

"[00:31:28] George Culkin: ...it was almost a meeting between the old Newcastle and the new Newcastle. And the old Newcastle is the 70 years without a domestic cup..."

George highlights the psychological shift within the team, noting the professionalism and defensive solidity that marked their performance. He reflects on the initial nervousness, stemming from past disappointments, and how Eddie Howe's tactical adjustments transformed Newcastle into a cohesive unit ready to seize the trophy.

Tim Spears echoes George's sentiments, praising Newcastle's defensive prowess and Eddie Howe's strategic ingenuity.

"[00:05:58] Tim Spears: ...the tactical plan he came up with with this sort of... it was pretty perfect and Arsenal didn't know how to handle it."

Tim underscores Howe's ability to identify and exploit Arsenal's weaknesses, drawing parallels to renowned managers like Pep Guardiola, yet noting that Howe often doesn't receive the same level of acclaim.

2. Arsenal’s Perspective on the Semi-Final Defeat

Shifting focus, the podcast introduces James McNicholas, who shares Arsenal's viewpoint on their loss to Newcastle.

"[04:26] James McNicholas: ...Newcastle had a very clear game plan and we were... not good at both ends of the pitch."

James reflects on Arsenal's shortcomings, particularly their defensive vulnerabilities and failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities. He credits Newcastle's tactical discipline and aggressiveness as pivotal factors in their comprehensive victory.

3. Managerial Tactics: Eddie Howe’s Masterclass

Tim Spears delves deeper into Eddie Howe's tactical decisions, commending his flexibility and foresight.

"[05:58] Tim Spears: ...the tactical plan he came up with with this sort of... three, four, three with the ball, five, four, one without..."

Tim elaborates on Howe's formation shifts and man-marking strategies, which disrupted Arsenal's usual gameplay. He emphasizes that Howe deserves more recognition for his tactical acumen, especially when compared to other top-tier managers who receive extensive praise for similar feats.

George Culkin adds to this by recounting pivotal moments where Newcastle's strategy paid off, highlighting key plays and player performances that sealed their triumph.

"[08:32] George Culkin: ...Newcastle are one nil up on the night. They're three nil up on aggregate... It was just so impressive and so clinical."

4. Player Spotlight: Alexander Isak’s Future at Newcastle

The conversation shifts to Newcastle's star player, Alexander Isak, and the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.

"[10:49] Adam Leventhal: ...there seems to be this narrative that it is simply down to whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League as to whether he will stay at the club next season."

George Culkin discusses the speculation linking Isak's retention to Newcastle's European qualifications. He expresses empathy for the club's situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining squad depth and the potential necessity of refreshing the team to sustain their progress.

"[11:25] George Culkin: ...Newcastle's players, if they're looking around, we're not in the Champions League... I think that's vital for all their big players."

George concludes that while Isak is indispensable, the broader club dynamics and lack of squad reinforcement pose challenges for Newcastle's long-term stability.

5. Liverpool’s Dominance and Upcoming Final

Transitioning to Liverpool's performance, James Pearce shares his observations from Anfield, highlighting Liverpool's superior quality and relentless work ethic.

"[15:32] James Pearce: ...Liverpool's XG 3.72. Tottenham's 0.18... there was just an inevitability about the outcome."

James underscores Liverpool's dominance in recent finals, noting their consistent performance and strategic superiority over Tottenham. This sets the stage for the impending Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, positioning Liverpool as formidable opponents.

6. Tottenham’s Struggles Under Increased Pressure

Tim Spears provides a candid assessment of Tottenham's current form, attributing their poor performances to a combination of injuries and managerial challenges.

"[18:57] Tim Spears: ...that was one of the worst Spurs performances I've seen for a few years. ...without a fight there was just nothing."

Tim criticizes Tottenham's passive approach in crucial matches, citing high injury rates and dwindling player morale as significant factors hindering their resurgence. He predicts a difficult path forward for Tottenham, with mounting pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

7. FA Cup Fourth Round Predictions and Key Fixtures

The discussion broadens to the upcoming FA Cup fourth round, with Tim Spears and Adam Leventhal sharing their forecasts and insights into potential upsets.

Notable Predictions:

• Fulham vs. Wigan: Tim confidently backs Fulham to advance, citing their consistent performances and managerial acumen.

  "[27:53] Tim Spears: ...Fulham should do on their day. They've got top-class players."

• Manchester United vs. Leicester: Analyzing Manchester United's inconsistent form under Ruben Amarim, Tim expresses skepticism about their chances, suggesting a possible focus on cup success given their league struggles.

  "[29:04] Andy Mitten: ...the consistency now to this team in the league and it's a team who are 12 to 14th in the league."

• Brighton vs. Chelsea: Simon Johnson discusses Chelsea's strategic rotation ahead of their upcoming league clash with Brighton, emphasizing the need to balance cup ambitions with league priorities.

  "[31:54] Simon Johnson: ...they've got plenty of time to rest and also it's a chance to sort of get in their heads a little bit before the league game."

Tim Spears also touches upon lesser-known teams like Leyton Orient, highlighting their impressive form and potential to challenge higher-tier teams despite injuries.

"[34:56] Tim Spears: ...they are in a great moment... it's almost a decade since they've been sort of at the top end of League One."

8. Managerial Challenges: Ruben Amarim at Manchester United

The podcast addresses the mounting pressure on Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amarim, amidst the team's middling league position.

"[29:57] Tim Spears: ...the players just won't have him... I do worry for him a little bit. I guess you just hope for his sake that this is just a long version of pre-season..."

Tim critiques Amarim's inability to instill consistency, flagging potential managerial changes if the team's form doesn't improve. He underscores the necessity for strategic reinforcements in the transfer market to bolster United's competitiveness.

9. Chelsea’s Defensive and Offensive Dilemmas

Simon Johnson elaborates on Chelsea's current struggles, particularly in defense and attack, attributing recent setbacks to tactical inconsistencies and player fatigue.

"[32:31] Simon Johnson: ...they have up front Jackson's not scored in eight games now. ...not bringing in a striker or a goalkeeper might cost them..."

He emphasizes the importance of balancing squad rotation to maintain player fitness ahead of critical league matches, while also addressing the urgent need for offensive reinforcements to revive Chelsea's attacking prowess.

10. Manchester City’s FA Cup Prospects

Closing the discussion, Tim Spears touches upon Manchester City's upcoming FA Cup match against Leyton Orient, highlighting both teams' current forms and potential challenges.

"[34:42] Tim Spears: ...they are going to have enough to beat Leyton Orient, aren't they?"

While Tim acknowledges Manchester City's dominance, he playfully entertains the possibility of an upset, considering Leyton Orient's impressive run and tactical approach. However, he ultimately maintains confidence in City's ability to prevail.

Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Newcastle United's potential to secure their first domestic trophy in decades, examining the interplay of tactical brilliance, player performances, and managerial strategies. Additionally, it provides keen insights into other Premier League teams' FA Cup ambitions, managerial predicaments, and the unpredictable nature of cup competitions.

Listeners are left with a balanced perspective on Newcastle's promising trajectory, the relentless dominance of Liverpool, and the various challenges facing other top-flight clubs in the current season.

Notable Quotes:

• George Culkin on the old vs. new Newcastle:
  "[02:28] George Culkin: ...it was almost a meeting between the old Newcastle and the new Newcastle."

• Tim Spears praising Eddie Howe:
  "[05:58] Tim Spears: ...the tactical plan he came up with with this sort of... it was pretty perfect..."

• James McNicholas on Arsenal's defeat:
  "[04:26] James McNicholas: ...we were not good at both ends of the pitch."

• Tim Spears on Tottenham’s performance:
  "[18:57] Tim Spears: ...that was one of the worst Spurs performances I've seen for a few years."

• Simon Johnson on Chelsea's rotation:
  "[31:54] Simon Johnson: ...they've got plenty of time to rest and also it's a chance to sort of get in their heads a little bit before the league game."

This rich and engaging summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a thorough overview for those who haven't tuned in.