Alan Shearer has identified the one thing Newcastle must avoid doing if they are to reach the Carabao Cup final.
The Magpies have one foot in next month’s Wembley showpiece after a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in the semi-final first leg.
Newcastle have given themselves a huge opportunity to end their long-standing 70-year trophy drought, the last of which was their FA Cup triumph in 1955.
Eddie Howe’s side can book their place in a second Carabao Cup final in three years if they can see off a buoyant Arsenal fresh off the back of their 5-1 win over champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Last weekend wasn’t quite the send off Newcastle were looking for ahead of Wednesday’s second leg with the Magpies slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham.
It was Newcastle’s second home league loss in succession after being thumped 4-1 by Bournemouth on January 18.
Doubts have crept in ahead of Wednesday’s decider with St James’ Park not quite the fortress it once was following a fourth home defeat of the season.
Ahead of the second leg, Newcastle legend Shearer admitted that an early goal for the Gunners is likely to cause an air of tension in the stadium due to the fragilities shown in recent home games.
“I’ve already said to a couple of my pals that the one thing we don’t want is Arsenal to score early because I bet the tension around the ground would be off the charts,” Shearer told Gary Lineker on the latest edition of The Rest is Football podcast.
“It definitely would concern me because the previous home game against Bournemouth they got battered and they didn’t deserve anything against Fulham.
“Another home game on Wednesday evening, a really important one but they have got a 2-0 lead going into this one which is slightly different.
“There’s not going to be a question of are they going to be up for it, the atmosphere will be off the charts. But what is key is not conceding an early goal.”
the rest is footballNewcastle legend Alan Shearer is hoping his former side can weather the storm in the early exchanges of Wednesday’s semi-final[/caption]
GettySuccessive home defeats has created an air of unease ahead of Wednesday’s clash[/caption]
Newcastle’s two-goal lead hands them a healthy advantage ahead of the game but it could also pose a dilemma for Howe in his approach to the game.
Newcastle’s usual swashbuckling style has proved to be successful at St James’ Park more often than not but with Arsenal expected to take the initiative in hope of reducing the arrears, Shearer was asked whether Howe would be tempted into adopting compact approach.
“It’s not Newcastle’s game,” Shearer responded. “When they are at their best they are full of energy, closing down, not giving the opposition any space. Playing on the front foot particularly at St James’ Park down the hill.
“It’s not going to be straight forward on Wednesday night.
“I wouldn’t care if Newcastle didn’t win another game this season but if they win two – Wednesday night and the final – I’d be a happy man,” Shearer added.
“It’s been 70 years since we won a domestic trophy – 1955.
“As you know I don’t like swearing but f****** hell.”