Newcastle legend gives Eddie Howe blueprint on how to beat Liverpool and finally end 70-year trophy drought
CHRIS WADDLE has told Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to stick to “bold” Geordie traditions to break the club’s trophyless habit of a lifetime.
The Tyneside legend insists all-out attack is the only way to end a painful silverware drought and beat Premier League leaders Liverpool in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
Ex-Toon and England winger star Waddle is urging Howe to order Alexander Isak and Co to get at Arne Slot’s side right from the off at Wembley.
If fortune does favour the brave, it will secure Newcastle a first domestic trophy since the FA Cup 70 years ago and a first piece of silverware since the 1969 Fairs Cup triumph.
“I’d love to see Newcastle end their hoodoo and I hope they do it with the fearless, exciting attacking style the club is famous for,” Waddle told SunSport.
“For me, they need to be bold because Newcastle are always at their best on front foot and when they’ve tried alternative ways which are less exciting it’s not suited them.
“That’s been the case right down the years and when managers have tried to apply the brakes and exercise more caution, more often than not it’s backfired.
“So, Newcastle will have to burst out of the blocks and press Liverpool from the off to try to catch them cold, get ahead early and work their socks off to stay there.
“And that will get the fans plenty to shout about because that front-foot, high tempo approach is what they want to watch.
“The last thing they like to see a Newcastle team park the bus at Wembley because they know the script.
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“They don’t want to see boring football – they’ve traditionally preferred to see a 4-3 and hope and pray for the best. That’s the Newcastle way, whether we like it or not.”
Waddle, 64, believes red-hot striker Isak could be the hero who brings back the glory days to Tyneside.
He said: “It will require a massive performance from Newcastle to win but I think Isak could make the difference.
“I’ve always liked centre-forwards who can create and make the most of their own goal-scoring opportunities and so I love watching Isak.
“He’s shown so many times that he’s capable of picking the ball up 40 yards from goal, going it alone and scoring.
“That’s because he’s not only blessed with pace and dribbling ability but he’s got a really positive mindset as well which is why he suits Newcastle so much.
“He will always cause opposing defenders problems and that’s why he’s vitally important to Newcastle.
“The side is set up to bring the best out of him when it comes to build-up play with wingers with purpose and three adventurous midfielders who are creative and love to get in the box.”
But if things do go according to plan and their team’s high-octane start pays off, Waddle reckons the Geordies could end up watching the game unfold through their fingers.
He added: “Liverpool will have a bit of a hangover from the PSG game but they’ll know what they need to do.
“And they showed how good they are at managing games when they beat Manchester City last month.
“They didn’t go chasing them and played a good tactical game which showed how savvy Arne Slot is.
“Everyone expects Liverpool to be on the front foot, attacking everyone and pushing teams back especially at Anfield, but they’ve got other styles of play.
“And they’ve got Mo Salah, who seems to be getting better with age because his sense of where to be at the right time and what strings to pull is stronger than ever.
“Tino Livramento will have to have one of the best games of his life to make sure he doesn’t do the damage for Liverpool.
“It will be a real game of cat-and-mouse because Salah has the licence to roam.
“So the Newcastle defence will need to have eyes in their back of their heads and be alert to him as he’ll be a constant menace.”
Waddle spent five years at St James’ Park, helping Newcastle win promotion to the old First Division in 1984 alongside future Toon boss Kevin Keegan who is synonymous with near-misses on Tyneside.
His side was beaten to the Premier League title by Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side.
And since then they’ve reached the FA Cup final twice and the Carabao Cup Final two years ago and headed back up to the North East empty-handed on each occasion.
“Sadly, there’s been decades of under-achievement at Newcastle,” Waddle added.
“For the sake of the fans if nothing else I hope things change as they’ve had to have the patience of a saint.
“They’ve been treated to exciting players, exhilarating seasons and but they’ve never got over the line despite investing in top individuals.
“But that’s why if they beat Liverpool every single member of the team will instantly become Tyneside legends.”