‘I don’t subscribe to it’ – Howe insists Newcastle are NOT cursed ahead of Liverpool despite 70-year-old ‘Gypsy Hex’
EDDIE HOWE refuses to say the word “curse” never mind believing Newcastle have one.
And he wants his players to use the 70-year wait for domestic silverware as a positive to become heroes against Liverpool.
Wembley success used to be a sure thing for the Magpies back in the day, with the club winning in their first five appearances at the Twin Towers.
But the story goes that not long after the 1955 FA Cup triumph, a group of travellers made themselves at home on the land Newcastle used to train on.
They were forcibly removed and, in retaliation, they are said to have placed a Gypsy curse on Toon.
The Magpies have lost five Wembley finals in a row since but Howe issued a bold message to fans who say the club is hexed.
The Toon boss said: “I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking.
“There isn’t always a negative outcome.
“I understand the finals record isn’t great but I take us qualifying for the Champions League, when we had to go deep into the season.
“It was nip and tuck if we were going to qualify and we got over the line.
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“So, there are examples where we have been really successful and even getting to the final isn’t a given. They are very difficult to get there.
“Now we are there, we just want to play to our true maximum and capabilities.
“Destiny is in our own hands. I’m not even going to use the word you mentioned, it is not in that mindset, it’s about us delivering a great performance if we can.
“Talking about the other outcome [winning] — that is exciting.”
Joe Harvey was the last Toon boss to lift a major domestic trophy in 1955.
And Howe added: “I understand it will be a negative or perceived negative for a lot of people — but we’re trying to look at it the other way around.
I really respect him as a footballer…but I think it’s always about the team.
Eddie Howe on Mo Salah
“A chance to make history for us as a team. That’s very rare in football. You get very few opportunities to do that.
“A chance to be remembered positively.”
Howe must decide on Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka in goal.
Winger Anthony Gordon is banned, with defenders Lewis Hall and Sven Botman injured.
Toon’s biggest task is stopping Mo Salah.
The Egyptian superstar has been directly involved in an astonishing 18 goals in 16 games against the Magpies.
But Howe said: “I really respect him as a footballer.
“I think it’s always about the team and making sure our structures are good, not about any individuals.”