Eddie Howe believes it will not be a “disappointing” season even if Newcastle United exit the FA Cup, but he emphasised the need to maintain positive momentum.
Newcastle began a potentially crucial month by defeating Manchester United 2-1, ending a three-game losing streak at home in the Premier League.
The Magpies claimed a last-minute victory thanks to a spectacular strike from William Osula, despite being reduced to 10 men after Jacob Ramsey was sent off in the first half.
Howe’s squad will return to St James’ Park on Saturday for an FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
Newcastle have already faced City four times this season, losing both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final and suffering a 2-1 league defeat away, but they beat Pep Guardiola’s team at home in November.
Howe wants his players to carry the positive energy from the United victory into this tie.
“Not sure on the word disappointing, but that is the world we live in with the highs and lows,” Howe said when asked if Newcastle’s season depended on FA Cup progression, noting that they are still competing in the Champions League.
“Positive and negative. I can’t look at things that way. We’ve got a cup tie with City, which is a great game. One of the standout ties. We have to be positive from the Manchester United game, let’s use that to attack this game and get into the next round.”
Historically, Newcastle have advanced from nine of their last 10 FA Cup fifth-round ties, although they were beaten 2-1 by Brighton at this stage last season. Two of those wins were against Man City in 1994-95 and 2001-02.
Only Wimbledon (1987-88) and Arsenal (2007-08) have eliminated Newcastle from both the EFL Cup and FA Cup in the same season.
This will be the 11th FA Cup tie between Newcastle and Man City, with City advancing in the last two quarter-finals in 2019-20 and 2023-24.
“The games have all been close,” Howe said of Newcastle’s encounters with City this season.
“Games we’ve won have been close, games lost have generally been close. We have had chances, but not been clinical enough to win those games. We need to be watertight. They are difficult to pin down in all moments. We want it to be a proper English cup tie that is end-to-end. That will suit us. Getting the crowd involved will suit us.”