Newcastle’s ‘wall’

There were tears in St. James’ Park. Emotions and images of happiness replaced the special atmosphere of Saint James’ Park on Tuesday night, when Newcastle beat Southampton (2-1) and qualify for the final of the English League Cup. As the whole of the United Kingdom, and also in the north-east of the country, prepares for ‘Walkout Wednesday’ (Wednesday of unemployment), the club from the Tyne capital has finally revived, softening the harsh crisis and gave reasons for the overflow. joy in its streets.

The social discontent and uncertainty affecting many sectors of the country, and that keeping Chief Minister Rishi Sunak’s government in check, with its biggest strike in a decade, parked itself overnight on Tyneside. Soccer is a great oasis for problems. With black and white scarves flying, ‘magpies’ fans celebrated Newcastle’s victory after enduring two long decades of heartbreak and defeat. 24 years have passed since Newcastle played in the Cup final, in 1999, against Manchester United, which they lost.

No trophies since 1969

Now the ‘magpies’ will have the chance to win their first trophy since the 1969 Fairs Cup. And, ironies of fate, again, against the fearsome United. Eddie Howe is the stylish technician in the Premier. In just two years, since their arrival in the city on the Tyne, Newcastle have leapfrogged in quality and once again ranked among the greats of the English league. This requires, yes, strong economic investment from the new owners (the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF) (80%) and its partners PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media (20 %), but also success in technical direction,

Known for his successful stay at modest Bournemouth, Howe’s secret lies in his choice of path and the players he brings together to travel it. He built a very solid team, hard to beat, bolstered by a strong defense and a superb goalkeeper, English international Nick Pope, who was once again valued for his spectacular performances at the 30-year-old. With him and his defenders, Newcastle is now a granite wall. Fit several purposes.

Arrived at Newcastle in July, from Burnley for 15 million, Pope earned respect for his experience and agility. in decisive moments, and he is now the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. They have managed to keep a clean sheet in 12 of the 20 games they have played so far, and in six of them they have done so in a row. On his side, the old mattress Kieran Trippier is another important signing for Howe. It is very difficult to find a player known for the club and the Newcastle model of the game. In addition to being the captain and winger of course, he acts as the leader of the defense and kicks all the free kicks. Just renewed until 2025.

centimeter thing

Next to him are the two center-backs who normally line up, the Swiss fabian schar and the dutch boy Sven Botmanstrong and powerful because of their height, with the English left-back, Daniel Burn, also nearly two meters tall, arrived signed a year ago from Brighton. All three are surprising with their regularity, physical strength and how they prevail in duels.

With these weapons, along with the good performance of other signings, especially the midfield leadership of Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle will be ready to try and stay on top for the entirety of the second round. And Howe’s ability to get performance out of his players is well represented by young local player Matty Longstaff, who was produced in the ‘magpie’ academy, scored two goals against Southampton and is now among among the best midfielders in England. Hosted by Howe again after several assignments, Longstaff also includes a confident locker room image and the fans’ identification with the team.

As North East Geordies relate to local traditions, and to protecting all their roots, at Saint James’s Park no one wonders how the club has been transformed.

The past is not forgotten and the statue of Jackie Milburn is there to remember and not lose the roots of the club, but money and global football have come to Newcastle and in the stands you can only breathe a sigh of gratitude. Like in the days of the legendary Kevin Keegan, when Newcastle came close to winning the Premier. In that direction, now the helm is headed by another Englishman, Eddie Howe, and on Tyneside, trouble and strikes were forgotten. With every save by Pope, every foul by Trippier, and every goal by Almiron, Joelinton or Longstaff, the ‘magpies’ are proud again.