Exclusive: Barton Backs Newcastle United to End Silverware Drought

Former Newcastle United star Warren Barton believes the club’s patient supporters deserve to celebrate some silverware success this season.

The ex-Magpies defender, who made 219 appearances for the Premier League club between 1995-2002, is adamant the Carabao Cup is their best chance to finally end a 70-year wait for domestic honours.

Newcastle frustratingly finished runners-up to Manchester United in the 2022-23 League Cup final and their last domestic triumph was winning the Championship crown in 2016-17.

But, perhaps surprisingly, the Tyne and Wear outfit last won major silverware in 2006 when they won the UEFA Intertoto Cup, the club’s first European trophy since 1993.

“A bit of silverware would make everyone delighted up in Newcastle,” ex-England right-back Barton told SportsBoom.com. 

“European football is a must for the club, whatever that may be, and then try and get a trophy."

“It would be great to replicate Eddie’s [Howe] second season when we finished fourth [in the Premier League]."

“But it’s a long season. Aston Villa are finding it a bit of a challenge now they’re in the Champions League."

“However, there’s no reason Newcastle can’t push on and find that consistency we’re looking for."

“Hopefully they can have a word in Champions League football or European football next season, that would be great.”

Newcastle stunned Arsenal with a fine 2-0 win in the first leg of this season’s League Cup semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium.

Another solid showing at St James’ Park in the second leg on Wednesday 5th February should see Howe’s ambitious side secure a Wembley final showdown with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

Barton added: “They need to win a trophy, whether that’s the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, it doesn’t matter, they want to win a trophy."

“Pep [Guardiola] went in straight away at City and did it, [Jose] Mourinho did it at Man Utd, winning a cup straight away. You want to try and do that."

“Eddie knows the craving of silverware in the North East dates back to when Bobby Moncur lifted something – and that’s a long, long time ago.”

'THE ENTERTAINERS'

Barton famously played in the Newcastle side which came within a whisker of winning the Premier League for the first time in the 1995-96 season.

But, despite holding a commanding ten-point lead over arch-rivals Manchester United at Christman, Kevin Keegan’s side somehow conspired to let the Red Devils edge them to the title.

“We had ‘The Entertainers’ title, it was obviously a great era for the club,” reflected Barton.

“The only regret is that we didn’t win the Premier League. We should have done because we finished second twice, unfortunately we failed a little bit and didn’t get over the line."

“We let the fans down, although we did finish runners-up twice in the Premier League and to a couple of FA Cup finals."

“But the league was a little bit like the Arsenal situation when they were eight or nine points clear the other season and, if it had been anyone else but Man City, well they would have probably got over the line."

“City kept winning games, which is what Man Utd did when they won the title the year we were ahead by so much."

“I think we won 14 out of their last 17 games and unfortunately we came unstuck."

“It will be interesting to see now what happens with Liverpool, they’ve got a good gap at the top. They know how to win, but pressure does funny things."

“But we’ve got a title race this season and I fancy they’ll be in the mix."