Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has urged the Toon fanbase to dream they can qualify for Europe. But he adds Eddie Howe’s squad must be ‘realistic’ about their chances.
The Magpies are in their best position to book a place in a UEFA tournament in many years this season. Newcastle have not stepped foot in a European tournament since appearing in the Europa League in 2012/13. They made the quarter-finals under Alan Pardew that term.
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But a return to any UEFA stage has been out of Newcastle’s reach since having not finished higher in the Premier League table than 10th since taking fifth place in 2011/12. They have also finished in the bottom half of the top-flight standings in each of the past four seasons.
Newcastle are in contention to qualify for Europe again this season
Yet Howe has Newcastle believing the Toon can qualify for Europe again after a superb run this season so far. The Magpies sit in the Champions League positions with a four-point gap to Manchester United in fifth. Although the Red Devils hold a game in hand over the Toon.
Liverpool in sixth and the other Europa League-paying position are also eight points behind Newcastle with a game in hand. While Howe has also led the Magpies to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. They had exited the cup in the second round in four of the past five terms.
Tripper wants fans to dream but Howe’s squad must stay grounded
Newcastle have not advanced further in the EFL Cup than the quarter-finals since finishing as the runners-up to Manchester City way back in 1975/76. The Toon have also never won the competition. But a first title in 2022/23 would seal a Conference League play-off berth.
Trippier believes Newcastle’s Premier League form and EFL Cup run should now give fans a reason to dream they can qualify for Europe, as well. But the England ace – who has played 30 Champions League and 10 Europa League ties – adds Howe’s side must stay grounded.
“The fans are there to dream,” Trippier said, via quotes by BBC Sport. “That is what they pay all their hard-earned money to watch us and follow us for. They can dream. As players, we need to be realistic and keep our feet on the ground.
“We’re in a good position in the Premier League and the [EFL] Cup. You can’t take anything for granted, you’ve always got to respect your opposition, but we believe. We are together as a team and a club and just take it a game at a time.”
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