Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Charlie Bennett

Former Newcastle United striker blames Carabao Cup and Bruno Guimaraes for Premier League dip in form

Michael Bridges has claimed focusing on the Carabao Cup final is detracting from Newcastle United’s league form. Since the Magpies beat Southampton in the semi-final a fortnight ago, the agenda on Tyneside has centred around the Wembley showdown.

Excitement has reached fever pitch among supporters ahead of Newcastle’s first cup final in 24 years. Alarmingly, that has coincided with a notable dip in league form.

Just one win in six means United are clinging onto their Champions League spot. Draws against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Bournemouth were all winnable games but Newcastle failed to capitalise on rival clubs’ hiccups.

READ MORE: Liverpool 'ignite Newcastle fires', coach's apology dig and Eddie Howe 'very demanding' of staff

Former Toon and Sunderland striker Bridges, a North Shields native, has also cited Bruno Guimaraes’ absence as a key reason for the Magpies’ slump. The influential Brazilian is serving a three-match suspension for his red card in the Southampton win.

“They're (Newcastle) unbeaten,” Bridges told the GegenPod. “So they can’t be having a bad run of games. There are two big things that have happened: the region is absolutely buzzing because Newcastle are in a League Cup final, taking on Manchester United in a couple of weeks, so the fans are getting carried away with that and the players might have taken their sight off the game a little bit.

“But there's been one massive influence. There was a guy who got red-carded in the League Cup - that was Bruno Guimaraes. He has been the player of the season because everything Newcastle do in the build-up play goes through this guy.

“In the final third, he unlocks doors with his passes, his vision, his goals and Newcastle have really really missed him. I think the thing for Newcastle that they're really happy about is he served the suspension in the league games and he's going to be available for the League Cup.

“Again, they've gone unbeaten. I think Eddie Howe was relieved they didn't get beat when he returned to his old club Bournemouth but they got themselves out of trouble.”

READ NEXT

Jurgen Klopp sends 'really dumb' warning before Liverpool's 'difficult' game against Newcastle

UEFA dish out 'strong medicine' Newcastle will have to take if owners realise exciting dream

Meet the man behind £3.5m decision that has helped Newcastle make huge stadium breakthrough

Newcastle see 'excellent' midfielder get 'back to who he is' elsewhere just when they need one

Newcastle have found talented 16-year-old who's wowed staff and could be in squad vs Liverpool

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.