Does the Carabao Cup matter to Newcastle United? The Burnley annoyance or a kick-start opportunity

The context

Newcastle United take on Burnley tomorrow looking to secure a place in round three of the competition.

After two defeats - to West Ham United and Aston Villa - the Magpies find themselves in an interesting position, with all eyes on their next Premier League game against Southampton, marrying with a want to progress in a competition which has so often be overlooked by the football club.

The history

Despite being English football’s ninth most successful club in terms of trophies won - the last major one in 1969 - United have never won the League Cup.

Their best season in the competition was in 1975/76, where they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City at Wembley in the final.

Last season was in fact only the eighth time the Magpies have ever reached the last eight stage of the competition, losing 1-0 to then Championship Brentford.

In the three previous seasons - 2019/20, 2018/19 and 2017/18 - Newcastle were beaten in the second round of the competition, two of which were to lower league opposition.

Will United and Steve Bruce give the competition significance and importance? Here’s what fans think about it.

‘Put a spanner in the works of Bruce’s one-dimensional plans’

The saddest part of looking ahead to Wednesday is that we’re now in a situation where we dread playing a potential Burnley B team. Despite this, the game is so crucial for us after a poor start to the season.

This is the opportunity for those on the fringes to play and show their fight for the badge, to put a spanner in the works of Bruce’s one-dimensional plans with a good performance.

As the saying goes: “We don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a club that tries”. In this moment, the club does not try, it does not have its identity.

What does it have? A fan base that despite all this, will pay their hard-earned cash and back Newcastle United Football Club all over the country.

The very least we can expect is a manager and team to go out and try to win something… or at the very least, not fall at the first or second hurdle.

Building the foundations for a good season may well rest on cup success, and all that starts Wednesday. Despite this, I am not confident and for me, the door is creaking louder every week for Steve Bruce on a Newcastle United exit. (Kieran C - @kieranac_)

Maybe a cup run will get the blood pumping’

The cups still matter to fans and you’d have thought the players also - the problem is the hierarchy are not interested at all. Their negativity has bled through the club. Poor performances now feel ingrained.

I would happily take a cup success at the expense of our league position, similar to Wigan a few years ago.

I have nothing but apathy towards the club in its current form and maybe a cup run will get the blood pumping for me and a few others.

Steve Bruce does nothing for me, I didn’t want him two years ago and I don’t want him now, nothing he has done has changed my opinion.

The worst football played; under the worst manager I have seen at the club. It feels like the fans need an international break not two more games to endure inside seven days. (Alex Cookson - @alex_cookson)

‘The cup offers a sliver of hope’

A lot of clubs disrespect the cup, mainly the Carabao Cup, this could be down to the ridiculous name and horrendous energy drink associated with it. Nevertheless, for Newcastle United fans it can be a chance to escape the regular dross and boredom.

You see players fighting it out for a starting spot, even if sometimes against lower league opposition. You see young, excited fans getting their first taste of NUFC. This is what football is all about.

The cup offers a sliver of hope in what is likely be another painful season under Mike Ashley. To be honest, hope is all Newcastle fans have right now so why not cling onto a tiny bit more by getting behind the cup. (Aaron Hindhaugh - @AHindhaugh98)

‘We need perspective - it’s only August’

We need perspective - it’s only August. Nobody is relegated now.

I’d be in favour of playing a strong team against Burnley to get the win and give us some momentum going into Saturday.

Nobody needs a rest at this stage, it’s too early. They still need minutes to build fitness and work as a cohesive unit. They also need to iron out some of the defensive deficiencies and a proper 90 minute cup game could be just what they need. (Paul09 - @Pearsop2)

‘We will get tonked as soon as we play a competent team’

Although a cup run is normally welcome - we will get tonked as soon as we play a competent team.

The bigger picture is that Bruce needs sacking. And if that means losing Wednesday and Saturday so be it. We will lose to Manchester United and Leeds United anyway.

Only a new manager can save this season. (Craig Thomson - @BooBoy_1)

And the rest...

The League Cup does matter especially in trying to get back to winning ways . Bruce should rest (Callum) Wilson and ASM (Allan Saint-Maximin). (Jon - @90_barnes)

I’d rather win a cup and get relegated. Winning competitions is what football is about, not hanging around in the top league making extremely wealthy men richer. (Martin Finley - @Geordiejuice)

While it’d be a good confidence booster to win, the fear is we further our injury problems heading into a game against Southampton who are a) coming off the back of a good result b) a team we need to beat to survive. (Sam Ward - @Samaboi67)

Newcastle can win a trophy but we need luck like any other club. Last season was a massive miss with Brentford away. I hope Bruce and the players took a long hard look at themselves after that. It was the most disappointing thing from last season. (Jon Mockler - @JonMockler8)