'I can't wait': Alan Shearer still feels confident ahead of Newcastle United's Carabao Cup Final test

Alan Shearer will be amongst the fans next week at Wembley after turning down several offers to work. The former Newcastle United striker wanted to be amongst the fans as the Magpies take on Liverpool.

Newcastle aren't being given much of a chance by pundits and even the most ardent of Newcastle supporters are having a time trying to see a positive outcome for their side.

Football is a funny old game, though, and even the favourites sometimes lose. Indeed, we only have to look back a few weeks to recall Liverpool being knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle.

Liverpool were very poor against PSG in mid-week and still have the second leg of that match to play before they meet Newcastle at Wembley.

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Alan Shearer invokes the memory of Wigan's FA Cup win to give hope to Newcastle fans

Newcastle have suffered a few setbacks ahead of the final, but Alan Shearer told Betfair (h/t The Mag) that he still believes Newcastle can surprise everyone.

“If Newcastle are going to win the Carabao Cup, then they’re going to have to do things the hard way. That’s fine – teams have done it the hard way before.

“Nobody expected Wigan to go to Wembley and beat Man City in the FA Cup final in 2013, but they did!

“Without doubt, Liverpool will be the favourites. It hasn’t helped Newcastle’s cause with Lewis Hall being ruled out for the season, and now Anthony Gordon ruled out too.

“I’m optimistic though, I’ll be there and can’t wait for it. It’s going to be tough – we need them to be right at it and if they are, then they definitely can win it with the quality they have. We need Isak fit for that reason and need everyone playing really well.

“Liverpool are a very good team, there’s no doubt about that. It’s not quite the gap Wigan faced in terms of quality, but Liverpool are still favourites and I just want Newcastle to give it a good go.”

It's time for positivity

We have to share in Alan Shearer's optimism, otherwise, what's the point?

Newcastle fans went into the 2023 Carabao Cup final with an attitude of "let's just enjoy the day" and while, thanks to the injuries, suspensions and recent form, that would be the way to look at things in a bid to soften the blow should we get beat, we can't go to the Capital with a mindset of 'whatever happens, happens'.

Every game for NEwcastle United should be a winnable game and, even though the odds, the stats, the momentum are all against us, we can do this!