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- [00:01]
Host 1
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Host 2
A special co anchor.
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Snoop Dogg
What up everybody it's your boy Big Snoop deal.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Double G Snoop.
- [02:28]
Host 1
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Host 2
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Host 1
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Mark Carey
Versus the other big guys@t mobile.com Switch.
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Host 1
Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later.
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Host 2
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Welcome to the Athletic FC Podcast with me Ayo Akimwalere. After 70 years of waiting, Newcastle United finally have their hands on domestic silverware. At last.
- [03:10]
Host 1
At long long lost, Newcastle United are winners. The Geordie nation has its hands on a trophy.
- [03:22]
Ayo Akimwalere
So how did Eddie Howe's side make such light work of Liverpool? And will success at Wembley kickstart a new era of success at Tyneside? For this one we have two men there are Wembley to witness. Newcastle United picking up domestic silverware for the first time in 70 years. I'm joined by the Athletics Newcastle writer Chris Wath and Jacob Whitehead as well. Chris Peter Drury, the Sky commentator basically said at the end of that match in Kakoppa with the fans at last, at long last, Newcastle United are winners. I don't think there was a dry eye at Wembley. I don't think it was a dry eye with with any Newcastle fans from across the world. Talk to me about your emotions after that match.
- [04:12]
Host 2
It was just a surreal day to be there at Wembley. To see Newcastle finally lift something. I was there two years ago and that game was defined by Newcastle United not turning up. And that's been the case in so many finals over the years. And that's why I put this performance up there. The very very best in Newcastle's modern day history. Not only because they won something but actually they deserve to win this game. This wasn't like a smash and grab that they turned up. They played the side who at the start of the day were 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League who've been almost imperious domestically. And at Wembley where the last three times had been there they hadn't even scored a goal. They usually turn up and just get turned over. But they were brilliant. The significance of it, it's up there with probably Maybe even surpasses the Paris Saint Germain famous night in terms of what it means for the club moving forward. And it just felt like Newcastle got everything right two years ago. The weekend was wonderful. But actually the 90 minutes on the pitch didn't quite work. The fans, maybe it overexerted themselves. And it felt like it was like an emotionally draining 90 minutes. This was everyone together. The fans powered on the players. The players powered on the fans. And Liverpool could not live with Newcastle United on the day. And Newcastle are deserved Carabao cup winners. And it sounds. I still can't believe that I'm saying that because it's not something you associate. It's a club which is defined or has been defined for 56 years in general. 70 years domestically as the glorious failures. And now actually Newcastle United are cup winners.
- [05:39]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah. I mean look. I was listening to Pod at the time. And I think George Culkin, one of our colleagues. One of your colleagues, you know. Was with you pre match, post match at halftime. I mean it was really special for him because it's a real family thing for him as well. And people forget. For Newcastle fans this becomes a real family occasion.
- [05:56]
Host 2
Oh it does. And I mean I try to disassociate myself where I can. But you know it's sort of difficult yesterday because you know the significance it means for everyone. Family and friends are sending me messages. Late last night I walked into the. The pub and saw my dad for the first time later on. And my dad just started. His eyes just started bawling. He never thought this day would come. That he'd actually get to see a trophy for Newcastle given the sort of length of her day. It is a very, very significant day for the supporters of the club who it was the sort of infamous trophy drought in English football. This club with this massive support base who've been in so many finals over the years couldn't actually get over the line. And for Newcastle United, yesterday was a very, very special day. And one that March 16, 2025 will live long in the memory. And every single player. Dan Byrne said it a few months ago. And he said a couple of years ago. If Newcastle wins something, those players will be immortal. And all of those players from a Newcastle United perspective are now immortals.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah. Well, we mentioned George and the difference to two years ago. Here's what he had to say. And these are actually his feelings at halftime at Wembley.
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Snoop Dogg
Yeah.
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Host 1
That was just massive.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Like seeing that ball go back across goal. And obviously. Yeah. Not seeing that for 25. It.
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Mark Carey
Not that it's been very many occasions for it.
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Ayo Akimwalere
But for it to. For it to be him this weekend. Yeah.
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Snoop Dogg
Just like.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Unbelievable. It's been an incredible first half. It absolutely has. Like seeing Eddie how tear off the bench to celebrate that.
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Mark Carey
That you know.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Newcastle have turned up. That's the thing. Newcastle have turned up. Yeah.
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Host 2
Whatever happens from this point.
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Ayo Akimwalere
They've turned up this year. What a moment that was.
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Host 2
Yeah.
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Snoop Dogg
Just astonishing.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Oh. Tears are streaming down my face.
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Host 2
I'm sorry.
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Ayo Akimwalere
But yeah.
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Snoop Dogg
Unbelievable.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah. I mean absolutely. Emotionally. Understandably so. Jacob. You know. Two years ago we've just mentioned. You know. Newcastle fell the final hurdle against Manchester United. What impact do you think? You know that Sunday's final will have on this fan base? I guess this idea of Newcastle turning up finally. I don't know. That can't be underestimated.
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Snoop Dogg
No. I mean I looked over to my right at half time to see George Balling and I was like oh man. You've gone too early here. There's 45 minutes left to go. But two. Two years ago that's exactly what happened. Newcastle had their heights before the game. And they'd kind of punched himself out there. One their pale by the time and weren't able to really compete. This time was different. And that was a mantra. It was just sort of emanating the whole week from Newcastle really In preparation. But there's a focus to the game. Today it wasn't so much we're happy to be here. There's a job to do when we're here. And you could see that just in the purpose I think. Especially the midfield. But every player knew very well what happened before was nice. And it meant they could enjoy the after.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah. I love that. Now Libby have to talk about Dan Byrne. Chris. Look. And there's a post flying around now that his dad put a letter out when obviously Newcastle failed to lift the cup against Manchester United. And the first paragraph sets off this wonderful letter to almost like an ode of love to his son. And it basically says. You know when I walked up Wembley way with you. A mere 7 year old on my shoulders en route to the FA cup semi final with Chelsea in 2000. Who would have predicted that the next time Newcastle will be fighting for a cup. There I'd be in the stands watching my son in those gorgeous black and white stripes. And let's not forget this is a guy that got dropped by by Newcastle at the age of 14. Ended up paying for Darlington, Fulham, Yeovil, Brighton. Wicked. And then back to his boyhood club. You know. Newcastle just Explain. I mean, I probably can't. I don't know if you fully can. But the significance of him scoring that first goal for Newcastle at Wembley with all that context attached to it. I mean that is what football is made of. That's what we dream of as fans.
- [09:30]
Host 2
It is. And you mentioned that letter. I went to Dan Bernstadt two years ago, David. And asked him to write the letter. And I know it was a very emotional moment him doing that. And when Dan read it he sort of teared up. And obviously it didn't work out that time. But two years on. Dan Byrne described this as comfortably the best week in his life. He said that he didn't want to go to bed last night. Because he didn't want to wake up. And it would all be a lie and all be a dream. He is someone who I interviewed in the first six months after he joined Newcastle. And basically when the takeover happened. He turned to his dad walking on the beach down the south coast. Where he's still at Brighton. And he said, you know, with all the money that's in Newcastle now. That's probably my chance gone of playing for my boyhood club. And he didn't. He got that opportunity. And I interviewed him at that point. And he said it doesn't matter who Newcastle sign. I will always believe I deserve to be in that team. And I will fight my way. And he has done it the hard way. He pushed trolleys at Asda while he was an apprentice trying to become a professional footballer. He had to go down the leagues to come back up. And for him that final meant everything. Maybe two years ago was a little bit emotional. But this time he was magnificent defensively. But Newcastle also used him as a weapon at corners. The goal had been worked on in terms of Newcastle worked on set pieces. Two weeks leading up to it. He had a drop deep. And the way that he powered that header. The significance of it being right on halftime. Newcastle had dominated Liverpool. Liverpool had not had a shot. But Newcastle hadn't got the goal to get that goal at that point. And for it to be Dan Byrne doing it. I think it almost increased the belief within the crowd that this was going to be Newcastle's day. The first Newcastle player to score Wembley since Rob Lee in the semifinal against Chelsea in 2000. I think it was 339 minutes Newcastle had played at Wembley without score. And it was such an emotional moment. I know he celebrated afterwards with his. His dad at Box park and with all the other players. And they had a wonderful time. Then he Was whisked off to go to England duty last night. And then again at the age of 32. Someone who was being called up to the England squ squad at that age gonna be the oldest debutant since Kevin Davis. I think if he makes his debut this week. It's such a huge moment and just reward for a player who's given his everything to Newcastle. Is he their best player? No, he's not. But does he. Has he been vital for them post takeover? Has he continued that connection between the fans and the club which is vital particularly given the ownership and the controversial ownership of the club. And everything that Eddie Howe wants from his team. He symbolizes that out on the pitch. And it was just. Just rewards for him. And just. If you can argue the part of the Newcastle story is not a fairy tale story. That Dan Bur story is a fairy tale story. And nobody can take that away from him.
- [11:50]
Snoop Dogg
Trippier with drift in goes.
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Host 2
It's the boy from bl.
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Snoop Dogg
Remember Chris got blamed in the aftermath of those letters for bringing too much emotion to the day. Sean Longstaff said they were weeping before so this could be the second trophy. It wasn't. Wasn't for Chris getting involved doing that letter. But I think we just also need to remember Burn's role on the pitch as well as what he he signifies. I mean set pieces was a place where Newcastle felt like they could target. Liverpool set out early and Keter out was getting Burn away from Canate and Van Dijk to exploit Liverpool's marking system. But also, I mean Salah was completely out of the game. So much of that was Byrne on the left doubling up with Tino Liveramento. Allowing him to cut in, preventing him from cutting inside. And you could argue that those two factors were the key to the game. And Byrne was at the heart of it.
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Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, for sure. Chris, do you think Dan Burn ever thought he'd ever play for England? You talk about him being 32. You talk about him thinking the ship had sailed at his boyhood club. I mean this must be the most incredible bonus for him and his family.
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Host 2
Byrne always believed he was good enough. But he thought his chance had gone. I think particularly with the last World Cup. I think he thought given he'd been playing in Newcastle side, he qualified for the Champions League and how well he was playing. He felt he deserved his chance before now and certainly in the last year, 18 months. He thought that that ship had sailed. Not because he didn't think he was good enough. He just thought he'd missed that opportunity because he hadn't been selected. And so yes, it is a full turnaround from the. I mean to get that call. I think he said that when Thomas Tuchel messaged him last week, initially he thought it was a joke and he thought he was being catfished. And he had to get Thomas Tuchel to video call him to actually believe that it was genuinely him. Because yeah, he didn't think it was going to come at this moment. But he did always believe he could prove it and be good enough. He just thought his time had passed because he thought really when he probably deserved it a few years ago he didn't get that chance yet. Now that perseverance has finally paid off.
- [13:39]
Ayo Akimwalere
Well, I don't know if the world is quite ready yet for the Dan Burn celebration. But we'll see how that goes down if he ever scores for England. Like Jacob, we also have to talk about the energy, the intensity Newcastle played with. You think about Bruno Guimara's first season as the captain of this team winning a cup. That's incredible. But also, you know him basically saying, you know, I want to come to this club to be a legend. You know, Tanani, Joe Linton who also often personifies, I think what Eddie Howe is doing at Newcastle at that midfield, you know, they seem to completely overrun Gravenbach, Mallister and really dominate that midfield to really set the tone of how this team really wanted to operate in this final total.
- [14:18]
Snoop Dogg
I think each of them almost had this moment which symbolized kind of how they took it. Sandro Tonali before the game he. He was so composed. He was the only player on either team who folded up his pretty match warm up jacket and neatly folded it back. And that was the way he played. He was tidy. He picked up all messy ball and just played short ones. Bruno Guimaraes was getting involved in every duel he could. I think Newcastle won around 60% of the jewels overall. And that felt like Guimaraes. I wrote by the end, the only thing he had left to give was tears. And Gillinton was really the heart of it for me. Newcastle knew that he was the key key to their game plan. His fitness had been in doubt a little bit. He had to prove it against Brighton a couple of weeks ago. But they knew that directness and physicality was the place. They didn't have many advantages over Newcastle, over Liverpool. Set pieces are one and their physicality in midfield was the other. And Clinton's the heart of that. There was a challenge in the first half where he came up against Terrell quantum. Their wrestling is almost like that slow motion arm wrestle where you're teetering one way and the other way. Andrew Lenton came out of this and revved up the crowd and that just gave Newcastle his moment, which cemented that unlike two years ago, they were here to compete, they were here to play. And Gillington is the fact that we so associate him with how he's how his greatest coaching job, the transition from scapegoated striker to this powerful, all action, technically gifted number eight, is a remarkable piece of coaching. And really pleased with Gillington as well.
- [15:36]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, for sure. All right, next we'll delve deeper into what Newcastle's win at Wembley could mean moving forward.
- [15:44]
Mark Carey
You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with IO Akamwalare.
- [15:48]
Host 1
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Snoop Dogg
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Host 2
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Host 1
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- [17:26]
Host 1
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Host 2
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- [17:44]
Snoop Dogg
From Mento lifted it in and Murphy is back sticking.
- [17:50]
Mark Carey
Now they're believing.
- [17:52]
Ayo Akimwalere
Okay, well, joining us now we have our senior data analyst Mark Carey with us. And Mark Carey, before Sunday's final you wrote a piece for the Athletic about Alexander Isak and the threat he poses to Liverpool at Wembley. He scored his fourth goal in six starts against Liverpool. I mean, this is really fascinating because I mean it was more than likely he was going to score in the final. But you know, why is he so potent against Liverpool?
- [18:17]
Mark Carey
I suppose the obvious answer is he's very good at football is a good place, good place to start. I think you and I, we've spoken about Isak, I think before this season on this podcast and I think that obviously that's being slightly facetious, but I just think he does seem to cause problems every time that he plays. And I ended the piece by saying that if any striker was going to be Virgil Van Dijk's kryptonite, I'd argue that it is Isak. And it was just shown again. And I don't know, I just feel like, you know, I think Chris has mentioned it this season that Newcastle have struggled against Liverpool in recent years. But Isak always seems to have a good game. And I broke down some of the little actions that he was doing in each of those games that just caused Virgil Van Dijk specifically just in a one on one battle, problems. But it's all of Liverpool's backline that he causes problems because much like he did in the final, he drifts across and just finds little pockets that no defender really wants to go into. And it also allows others to make runs into the space that he creates as well. So I think as much as anything, a reason why for Virgil Van Dijk, why he's so strong against Liverpool's captain is that he has the pace, the physicality and the power to match Van Dijk. And not many strikers really do have that. Van Dijk normally just overpowers them with his own strength and Pace and power. So I think it helps in that regard. I think to the point I was making before, it helps that he isn't that central player who's just going to stay and just be on the last line. He can do that as well. But he also drifts around, so it causes that element of doubt. And he's got the ability to. To run in behind. He's got the ability to drift into wide areas. He's got the ability to drop in as well. And it just, as I say, causes so much doubt in the defender's mind. And I showed a few examples of that within the piece. But it was largely the same again on Sunday. And he wasn't actually. I think Jacob made the point in the briefing on site about this that he wasn't actually all action in terms of his touches on the ball. It was actually. I think it was nine touches in the first half was the fewest of any player at that point. But his movement was one thing. And the goal itself, the movement for the goal was really intelligent. If you watch it back, it goes over Van Dijk's head and Van Dijk's caught ball watching and he just pulls back ever so slightly towards the penalty area. And that gives him the space to hit it first time. So yeah, as I say, to sort of start to finish where I started. He is just a very intelligent player, but he's also got all of the physical attributes to go with it as well.
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Host 2
I agree with Mark. First half Alexander Isak wasn't central in terms of getting the touches, but you could see that Canardi and particularly Van Dijk, I mean Isak was actually a large point. I was watching him. He was actually getting close to Van Dijk. He wanted to be close to Van Dijk. And that unsettled that you could see Van Dijk was sort of looking, where is he? What's he going to do? Whenever Newcastle tried particularly to go down the right, get Jacob Murphy and suddenly Isak would peel off slightly to the left and Liverpool looked all at sea. Now Newcastle couldn't actually get the ball to him, but when he had that first goal disallowed, he looked furious. And he was protesting with the linesman because obviously he thought he himself was on side. And in the first half he looked furious. He wasn't getting the ball. And I turned to George Colt, my colleague, after he had the goal disallowed and I said, isak's going to score now. He will score. He's so. He wants this goal, goal so badly. And as Mark said, I mean his movement for that. He nearly scores again when Harvey Barnes gives him. The boy somehow manages to contort his body to somehow get a shot on goal. It just. It's straight to Kelleher. So Kelleher saves it. But we spoke to him on Friday as the media and it basically asked him about this occasion. He said this is. This is what I play football for. This is where I want to. I want to shine. And there's a sort of a grab, a photo which is going around on social media which shows Virgil van Dijk with his hands to his face and Isak doing his sort of celebration with the thumb going one way. And it just sort of encapsulates really. Yeah. Yesterday as a spectacle. That was Alexander Isak basically putting the nail in Liverpool's coffin yesterday because Newcastle deserved it. They needed that second goal. And once they had that, I never really. And I say this despite obviously the. The late goal. The Kim Wayne Newcastle had to make it difficult for themselves because that's what they do. But really from that point on you just didn't think Liverpool had it to come back into them because you thought they were going to get better at some stage and they just never really did because Newcastle largely didn't allow them to.
- [22:14]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, for sure. And you know, Mark, you know people talk about. About great players not necessarily having to do a lot and then sometimes in a game they just come up clutch and you know, like it just shows us how they can be in that moment in the game. Mo Salah often has been credited with this. Is this just yet another sign of how elite Isaac is?
- [22:35]
Mark Carey
Yeah, it must be a mindset thing because he really didn't. I think so. I mentioned about it in the first half but I think in all competitions. I was looking at it this morning in all competitions that's the. I think the third fewest number of touches that he's had in a game that he started this season. So. But then he goes away and scores the goal and. And has a fantastic performance some of it being off the ball as well. So I do think yeah, it just shows the. The elite mindset, the elite ability that he has. But so I go back to it in terms of, you know, despite me looking at the numbers and looking at the volume of touches, you know, as the guys have said as well, it's all the stuff that he does around his off ball movement while Newcastle are in possession is still crucial. And he does SP defenders and he certainly has spooked Virgil Van Dijk in recent clashes that they've had the goal that he scored at St. James's Park. It made Virgil van Dijk look ordinary, which is very difficult to do. He completely lost him and got tangled up in his own feet. And it was a fantastic finish as well. But it was very similar in terms of getting tangled up and just taking his eye away from Isak in the goal on Sunday as well. So he's just so intelligent, even with his movement. Of course then when he gets that to touch, he's clinical in those crucial moments. But yeah, I go back to the idea as well that he's able to go into those wide areas and he. Well again in the piece that I wrote he was on the right wing burning past fullbacks at times. Then he'll drift over to the left wing more so. And he did it on Sunday as well. And then he'll go through the middle and penetrate in behind. And then he'll be a bit more of a fox in the box as well. He's just so versatile. And that takes a lot of technical skill but a lot of mental skill as well to think where's the space? How can I punish the opponent in different ways or help my teammates to exploit the space that I provide them?
- [24:17]
Host 2
I said this after the semi final victory over Arsenal, certainly the second leg, which Newcastle Isak didn't score. But he unsettles Saliba and Gabriel like no other striker really does in world football. A very few do. And the same with Van Dijk. And I think it's almost the concept of Isak to a certain degree. It's knowing what he could potentially do. Because as Mark said, he could do so much. He can come deep. What he was doing against Arsenal was he was dragging them out of position and that allowed space for people to get in behind. Yesterday you can see Liverpool just knowing that you can't let Isak come deep. You can't let him go wide. You can't let him run and be aim because he can do a bit of it all. And it's so. Yeah, so it's sometimes not even what he necessarily does. It's the. What he potentially could do that is just so dangerous.
- [24:55]
Ayo Akimwalere
Jacob. You know, Chris just got me thinking actually when he mentioned the semi final against Arsenal. A player we're not talking about, Jacob Murphy. I don't know. Like when he scored that goal for Newcastle in the semi final. The elation on his face, the pure passion for me really gives an indication of just how Newcastle really have carried themselves through this competition. But Also a player that has assisted Alexander Isak eight times for Newcastle this season. The most by any Premier League player for a teammate across all competitions. Can we talk about Jacob Murphy please? Because he has been really good for Newcastle this season.
- [25:28]
Snoop Dogg
I'll feed you. I'll feed you. Murphy has had small elements of Burns story. He grew up in Wembley and then near Norwich. But he was a Newcastle fan. His mum's from Berkeley just south of the town and he wanted to play for Newcastle. But for a long time his dream of playing for Newcastle wasn't when Mosaudi owned. It was unhappy under Mike Ashley during the dark days of the ownership. I remember a game two years ago at Sheffield Wednesday where he was booed off. Basically he was seen as a member of a team who was meant to basically be moved on now that Newcastle had new ownership. More money, hopefully better players. But he has come back and put himself to a point where even with a fully fit squad he is the first choice right winger. He has this relationship with Isak where he's able to get to the byline. Puts in driven crosses. He stretches the defence. He's really good balance on that right hand side. Now like Chris said earlier. Is he their best player? No he's not. But he's got this role in his side which he does perfectly. And Eddie wants his wingers to work hard. And the work rate which Murphy brings what he offers to the team around the squad the dynamic. That's why Jacob Murphy is such an important part of Newcastle United.
- [26:37]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, for sure. Now Chris, you know we spoke about the lack of transfer movement in the last three windows. Do Newcastle need a new right winger? Is that. Is that an option for them and what they're looking at? We just mentioned Jacob Murphy. How great a season he's having. But is that something on the cards for them?
- [26:53]
Host 2
They definitely need another right winger. And that's not to denigrate Jacob Murphy. It's more that Jacob Murphy is really the only out and out right wing option they have. Now that Miguel Alyn Ron left in January. They wanted a right winger. It's one of the few positions alongside a right sided centre back they haven't actually strengthened post takeover. Jacob Murphy was actually out of the team behind Miguel Almiron and he's usurped him in the team poll. Partly because Almron regressed and Jacob Murphy stepped up. But also the idea of linking him and Alexander Isak. It's been a ploy this season as well to have an actual right foot right winger. Conventional right Winger to just get the ball in. And Jacob Murphy can frustrate no end because he can do baffling things where he passes the ball to the opposition or does strange things, but then he can also deliver a fantastic ball which releases Alexander Isak and that's mainly his role in the team. But yes, Newcastle definitely want to strengthen there. They need greater depth. They do have lower numbers in certain positions. They sold two players in January for PSR reasons, which puts them in a strong position going into summer, but they haven't actually materially Strengthened the starting 11 for three windows. It feels like this was possibly the final act for this team as a team in itself that needs. It needs refreshing, it needs regenerating. Hedy Howe used the word stagnate a few months ago and definitely right wing. I'm sure Jacob Murphy would then back himself to be involved, if not retain that right wing birth. But he needs pushing like every single player in the squad needs pushing to new levels.
- [28:11]
Mark Carey
I was going to say it feels like an old school style of play in that regard, but it's working so effectively. I did a piece a few weeks ago about that in terms of same side wingers crossing with what we'd consider to be their stronger foot and it's more of a rare occurrence in the modern era than it was in the 90s and the early 2000s etc. So I feel like it's no coincidence that the two are linking up so well because to Chris's point, you can sort of guarantee as a winger that you're going to get the ball into that area for Esac to finish first time. If you're playing with an inverted winger who's maybe going to come inside onto their stronger foot, then that striker doesn't know when to make their movement or if they do make make the movement and then the player comes inside again or maybe tries to do another trick, then that striker then will maybe have to make a movement again, maybe make a movement to the front post, to the far post and then by that point the chance is gone. So the sort of the speed of the attack that Newcastle can play with, where Murphy will get out of his feet and play it first time or early to Isak, has clearly proven lucrative. But it's maybe a bit of a throwback in terms of style and shows that that is something that maybe should be done more. Because if you've got a clinical striker who can do the traditional striker stuff and a player who can deliver the ball from stronger foot on that side, then clearly it's lucrative as we're seeing.
- [29:21]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah. Very quickly, before you go, Mark, just two things I just want to ask you. Firstly, how complete from a tactical perspective is this Newcastle team? They didn't have Anthony Gordon yesterday. Barnes steps up yet again, does the job for them. And Liveramento also plays because they have got absences in that area. But also that well functioning midfield. Phenomenal. But secondly, back to something. Jacob was talking about that set piece routine as well. You saw how they played it. Way past Konate and Van Dijk out of the danger areas. Whips it out. Dan Byrne gets a goal. I mean they're really. We know Eddie Howe loves to tweak. We know he's a stickler for detail. Just how good are they tactically?
- [29:59]
Mark Carey
Yeah, I mean starting with their sort of general tactical strengths, I think that it shows a bit of strength in depth, which is maybe underestimated in Newcastle that those players were able to come in and perform so well. I think that it actually played to Newcastle's strengths that Livermento was able to play on the left side of defence. As Mo Salah was coming in onto his stronger foot. It was obviously coming onto Livermento's stronger foot. But I think in general from a tactical perspective, I think they're as good as anyone on their day. And we've seen that across the course of this season with some of their victories and their big performances. You mentioned the midfield. That's been a topic of this whole episode, this whole season of Tenali, Guimaras and Joe Linton. They're arguably as strong as any Premier League midfield. Their intensity is such a key part to the way that Eddie Howell likes to play. And I suppose the difficulty is when they lose that intensity either within games or throughout the season for whatever reason. It could be injuries, it could be scheduled, whatever it is, that that then sort of leads to a significant drop off. So when they're all operating and firing on full cylinders, then we know that they have the tactical and the technical quality to be anyone. But I suppose we saw last season with the way that things panned out with the Champions League and injuries that came with that in the schedule. They were just a little bit more jaded and unable to actually implement the tactical principles that they wanted to. But I looked into the numbers, of course. I always come prepared with some numbers. There's a company called Futovision and they look know physical stats as well. And Newcastle are among the top three teams in the Premier League for the share of time spent sprinting when in possession and as a separate metric when out of possession in the Premier League as well. So I think it just shows that they're able to have that physical intensity and implement it and then that obviously allows them to, to execute it to, to the best of their ability on the set pieces. I think it's just simply really intelligent from, from the, I suppose the whole staff that they, they thought of that. I think they had that in the pipeline for a good couple of weeks. They trained it really well live. Been pretty strong from defensive set pieces, not so much from an attacking perspective this season, but they obviously tried to bypass their strongest aerial duellers in Konate and Van Dijk. And it was obviously a two way thing. Right. It was the ability to bring trippier back into the side to be able to execute the set piece in terms of the delivery, which is obviously crucial. And Dunburn obviously being such a towering presence and I was thinking actually he must have known Alexis Macallister I think from his Brighton days as well. The way that he was referring to him as Alexis in the interview, I thought, yeah, of course they must have known each other from Brighton. So he was probably confident that he could have the beating of him anyway. Never mind the fact that he was about 6ft.
- [32:35]
Ayo Akimwalere
That was the obvious one. Yeah. I mean height difference for sure.
- [32:39]
Mark Carey
Yeah. So I think it's just. Yeah. So credit all round I guess is the point I'm making.
- [32:43]
Snoop Dogg
Mark's right to pick up the physical stats because Eddie Howe did as well. The meticulous man which he is. He came into half time and had a slideshow up on the board and it had Newcastle's physical stats from the last six or seven games up and it showed. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, half their numbers really sagged down and he basically implored his team, don't do that. Keep your foot in the throat. And after 53 minutes with that energy, Isaac scored the second to pretty much ice the game. It was something they really focused on in the week and it was central to their game plan.
- [33:14]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, fantastic. Well Mark, really appreciate you joining us again to filter those lovely numbers to us and yeah, appreciate you jumping on the pod. Thanks Graham.
- [33:24]
Mark Carey
Cheers team.
- [33:29]
Ayo Akimwalere
Well, coming up we'll assess what success could mean for Newcastle moving forward.
- [33:35]
Mark Carey
You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with IO Akinwaleere.
- [33:39]
Host 2
I was never really a runner. The way I see running is a gift, especially when you have stage four cancer.
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Host 1
I'm Anne.
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Host 2
I'm running the Boston Marathon presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
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Snoop Dogg
To give people like me me a.
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Host 2
Join bank of America in helping Anne's cause. Give if you can@b of a.com supportan.
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Snoop Dogg
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Host 1
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Host 2
It's time for basketball and Uber Eats.
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Host 1
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Ayo Akimwalere
Like when you're craving a buzzer beater.
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- [35:11]
Mark Carey
This is the Athletic FC podcast with I.O.
- [35:14]
Host 2
Acamolera.
- [35:17]
Ayo Akimwalere
You don't get many shots at a cup final and today we had to try and take our our opportunity and that's where the players delivered under pressure so well and so impressively. It also proved that we can mix our game against the very very best. Yeah, I mean look, that was Eddie Howe reflecting post match on how Newcastle lifted their game against Liverpool. Chris, given the nature of the finances to Newcastle's disposal and we spoke about it earlier, is it natural to want wonder if this success can now be the launch pad for further success as well?
- [35:48]
Host 2
Without doubt. I mean you look at it and think those Newcastle United players who were sold the idea of what this Newcastle side could be and what the project could be there is material beyond the fact they've gone the Champions League two seasons ago and they could get back there this year. They also have won that first trophy and Dan Burns spoke about this that he hadn't wanted to say public before but it did feel like a burden around their necks really as a club that there was this like unterblack weight for a trophy. But for Newcastle going forward they have had a Heck of a lot of financial help to get where they are. But they are also restricted by PSR and what they can do. And that's why they had to sell some players in January. That's why they had the mad rush in June last year as is well documented. But going forward this summer they should have good capacity to spend. And also there's almost been over the last three weeks. I'm going to write about this for tomorrow. That since a Saudi delegation from PIF came to Northumberland and there was a sort of. There was basically an off site meeting at that point point it was sort of rammed home that this is. This is where we kick on now. It's not just about being where Newcastle are now and just you know, being sustainable top six. The idea is that they want to win trophies, they want to kick on, they want to get in the Champions League every single season and by the end of this decade if possible. So this has to be the launch pad. It's seen as the cliche that you do it but also for Newcastle. Eddie Howe spoke afterwards. But yeah, we had to believe that we could do it and then we move on to the next one. And I think that is so huge to have finally got that monkey off their back that they Newcastle no longer on the club who don't win anything that they now do or have won something. It's now about building on that. And the idea was never just to win one thing. The idea is to try and win more. If not try and dominate English and European football longer term.
- [37:28]
Ayo Akimwalere
How much do you think it is a stamp on their quality that actually through this competition they ended up beating the likes of Forest Man, City, Liverpool, Arsenal as well. And I mean that's the current top four right now. If you're looking at being in the team in that bracket surely that is an onus to say we're on the right track to a certain degree.
- [37:45]
Host 2
Without doubt. I mean yeah, they haven't won this the easy way. Eddie Howe spoke about there's no bad way to win something but it was probably the perfect way to win it. Particularly the way Newcastle played in the final. But they've beaten all those sides throughout. They beat Arsenal over two legs. Dominated them. Arsenal didn't score a goal against them. Liverpool didn't have a shot until just before halftime. And then they didn't have a shot on target until I think it was the 58th minute or something like that when Nick Pogba was finally pulling to a city on their day. Newcastle can beat anyone. It's about being consistent and doing it more often. And they can lift their game against the better sides. And that's what they tend to do. Liverpool was sort of the last team to conquer alongside winning the cup for Newcastle. Eddie Howell hadn't beaten them since taking charge at Newcastle. Newcastle hadn't beaten Liverpool in any capacity since 2016. This is another hurdle they've got beyond. And it just. I think it does give everyone belief and almost confirmation of what they have tried to achieve. That this side. When they get it right. When they have individualized game plans. Because there's a lot. Sometimes the cliche becomes with Eddie Howe at Newcastle. Sometimes when they're going through bad patches that he plays from 433 every week. Newcastle don't change game on game. But you saw again yesterday. Newcastle adapted. They went physical. They went long when they had to. Their one second ball and jewels. They targeted set pieces. That's. That's not necessarily what they always do. But they have bespoke game plans for opposition. That there is a. There is a structure within it. And then they work from that. And I think that you saw from this point that the way with the coaching. Elite coaching staff as they've now become. They've won something and proved themselves to be elite. And with the players Newcastle have. This should theoretically be the start of something rather than the end.
- [39:15]
Ayo Akimwalere
Jacob. I wonder how well the weekend's action in the Premier League played into Newcastle. Sounds a little bit. I know those players that aren't going to international duty are off to Dubai for some warm weather training well needed. But you know. Arsenal beating Chelsea. Manchester City drew with Brighton. Newcastle I think are what just a point away from. From fifth place at this moment in time. You know. Carrying that momentum into a new part of the season. After the international break after a cup win. Surely they must be feeling good about their chances for Champions League qualification.
- [39:49]
Snoop Dogg
It'd be easy to think they're becoming force. Chelsea seem to be coming backwards. I mean Forest. I don't want to talk down Forest Because Newcastle were in a very similar position two years ago where people didn't think that they could make it the whole way. And they did. But Newcastle can be quite a streaky team. And this is the ultimate momentum shifter. They went on a brilliant run back December January where they're undefeated for a while actually in the league. Their form hasn't been brilliant for the last month or so. But it's an important win on Monday night on against West Ham. Not just for sort of getting them prepped for this Match and getting some confidence. But it kept him in touch with Champions League football. And you know me, I. You wouldn't have me on here without talking about psr. The Champions League is important.
- [40:27]
Host 2
Not today.
- [40:28]
Ayo Akimwalere
Not today.
- [40:29]
Host 2
No.
- [40:29]
Ayo Akimwalere
Come on. It's true. I get it. I get it.
- [40:31]
Snoop Dogg
But now they've got the monkey off the back of winning the trophy. You can talk about this more openly. He's none of the sort of Champions League is a trophy shout like this is the reality in Newcastle. Yeah, they have a big chance. I mean they've got lots of their most difficult fixtures out of the way. They've got a decent run in and they should in theory have players returning to full fitness as well. I mean Lewis hall is out to the end of the season but Gordon will be back from suspension and coming in if he wins his place back from Harvey Barnes.
- [40:58]
Ayo Akimwalere
Fantastic. Also Chris, I know we sort of talked about it earlier and how much of a statement this is for the Newcastle project. But also, you know, I'm thinking, you know, a club that. That's looking at stadium renovations. A club that's looking at a new training ground as well. You know, if someone's going to be signing the checks, it's easy to say can you sign the checks? Because we've just won a cup, you know, this is us and we're a stage forward as to where we want to be, you know.
- [41:25]
Host 2
Yeah, very much so. And if you look back to when Alexander Isak signs, when Brumoj signs. Newcastle at that point are selling them a vision of not only winning things but also having all that infrastructure that you mentioned yet none of that infrastructure has yet come to pass. So at some point they have to have confirmation of that. And the cup is the start of that. And Newcastle are making progress in terms of deciding whether the state of renovated St. James's park or build nearby A so called super stadium. They now have confirmed that they are definitely going to build a training ground at some stage. A state of the art one. All of this adds to that idea that A, you can keep Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali on Tyneside. But B, you can add to that going forward. You can bring those other players in. And Newcastle still need to trade better. They need to work out how they get some players in and out. But the core of the squad. There may be some players who are aging in certain parts. But those are the players I've mentioned there. They're the players that this team needs to still be built around. They are the quality players who made the difference on the big stage and can make a difference on an even bigger stage. And it's about adding even greater quality around them. Newcastle have the basis of what could be a very, very good squad. You don't get Alexander. Alexander Isak is wandered in world football because there isn't another Alexander Isak. And Newcastle got him when they could. If they can keep him and then add to him, then they really could be the coming force. As Jacob said just before we end.
- [42:44]
Ayo Akimwalere
Jacob, Eddie Howe have to talk about the work he's done at Newcastle. But also the first English manager to win major silverware since Harry Redknapp led portsmouth to the FA cup in 2008. Surely, surely he's staying at Newcastle for the foreseeable.
- [43:00]
Snoop Dogg
Yeah, he is. There was. What does it mean to Eddie Howe? There's an emotional moment in the press conference where he talked about the. The joy of winning. But part of the jo winning of winning is thinking about all those people who could be with you, who stay with you, motivate you. And he talks about his mum who died in 2012 and massive influence on him. He came from a single parent family and that moment was where he teared up and you saw why all the hard work was worth it. Because this is a man. He is even in a city of obsessive. He is an obsessive. He still has. His work is underappreciated to an extent. Look at his job he did at Bournemouth. He took him from League two to the Premier League. And when Newcastle had disappointed him, an undercurrent of a feeling was why have they gone for that? He just got relegated from the Premier League with Bournemouth. He took Newcastle to the Champions League. And the reasons was, oh well, look at all the money they have. Look at the squad. It was a down year. It was a weird year. But he did it. And if the last thing he needs to actually prove he's a good manager is silverware, well, now he's got it. What else does he need to put himself in that pantheon of the best British managers of the last 10 years, 20 years longer.
- [44:03]
Host 2
Yeah.
- [44:04]
Ayo Akimwalere
Chris, we started on what this, you know, this relationship and what it stands for in terms of Newcastle, but for Eddie Howe as well, you know, in the hearts of these Newcastle fans, bringing a trophy back to St. James's park or to Tyneside, I should say. I mean this is massive. Absolutely massive. And this is what fathers can tell their kids about. And then kids potentially could tell their kids about in the future.
- [44:28]
Host 2
Yeah. I mean Eddie Howe was asked after the game about whether he would accept a statue. And he sort of did. He said that's not really for me. That's not what I sort of think about. But he has. I mean that is where he is now. He's the first Newcastle manager since 1969 to Winleithan first since 1955 to Winleithan domestically. And as Jacob said, if he needed a trophy to really confirm how brilliant a manager he was. I don't think he did personally. But he got that perception externally. There was always this idea he was Newcastle's Mark Hughes man City and then he'd be moved on after the first stage. He's proven all of that wrong. And alongside Alexander Isak. My biggest confidence that Newcastle had a good chance going at the final was Eddie Howe. And the fact that two years ago Newcastle lost. And he paused over everything meticulously and he looked at what went wrong. He thought about what they could do differently. And when they lost Anthony Gordon and Lewis hall their entire left hand side. Rather than sort of wallow in that. He did that for one night. The next day, Monday morning he's at the training ground. Locks himself in the training ground all week. This is a guy who works 12 hour days easily. Anyway, he was there even longer that week working out what is the plan. Not thinking this is the issue we have now. It's what is the solution. And he found those solutions. And yes he very much he ranks with any of them now. Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson, he surpassed them in terms of winning something. But I think that he basically joins those in the pantheon of Nicas United greats because he has had that transformative effect on the club.
- [45:45]
Ayo Akimwalere
Yeah, honestly this Pod has really made me think, you know when people talk about whether or not people do indeed want to win the League cup, talk to Newcastle fans. Honestly it means a lot to a lot of football fans. Gentlemen, thank you so much for your time. Jacob Crist as well as Mark who joined us earlier as well. Now you can also get more from the guys over on Pod on the tine reflecting on the emotions of the day. We'll be back tomorrow. Thanks for listening guys.
- [46:09]
Mark Carey
You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producers were Guy Clark, Mike Stavrou and Jay Beal. The executive producer was Aidy Moorhead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free Search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places. The Athletic FC podcast is an athletic media company production.
- [46:30]
Host 2
The Athletic FC product Podcast Network.
- [46:36]
Host 1
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- [47:01]
Snoop Dogg
What up y'all?
- [47:02]
Host 2
Zena Kaeda here with a huge announcement. We're dropping a new show, no off season, the Athletic Women's Basketball Show. Same place, same time, but we're bringing the heat with some brand new energy.
- [47:13]
Mark Carey
Join myself, Ben, Shantelle and Sabrina as.
- [47:16]
Host 2
We give you an inside look at the game with candid conversations, in depth analysis, and taking on the hottest topics around women's basketball. Plus, we're bringing in the biggest names in the game to weigh in on all the action. So mark your calendars because no offseason the Athletic Women's Basketball show is launching.
- [47:33]
Mark Carey
Monday, March 17th with fresh episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
- [47:38]
Host 2
You can find us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.