The battle Newcastle United simply must - and can - win at Wembley today

The short wait is over. May the long wait quickly follow. An emotional build up to the Carabao Cup final will end as the clock ticks on to four thirty this afternoon at Wembley. Every Geordie in the stadium, watching on TV across our land and beyond throughout the world, will be praying that a 70-year wait for domestic silverware reaches glorious fruition before the day is out.

Newcastle United desperately need to win a meaningful trophy. Yes the swooping red arrows of Liverpool are prepared to blitz our dreams but faint hearts never win an argument. Commeth the hour commeth the hero. Who wants to be that man?

Of course Liverpool are the bookies' favourites and they hold most of the trump cards but United, despite losing three key players, have their own big hitters ready to come to the party. While Alexander Isak is our standard bearer, the striker who inevitably produces the coup de grace, any victory would have its roots in midfield.

Liverpool's pattern of play is dictated from the middle third and United must compete in there. Win the arm wrestling contest and set up a shock result. It's not as though the Magpies lack potential impact in their engine room. They are stoked by three top international footballers - Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton and Italy's relentless performer Sandro Tonali. That is a combination of guile, physicality, power, vision and relentless endeavour.

Tonali is the second most expensive player in Newcastle's history. He stands in the shadow of no one bar Isak in the financial stakes and goalscorers always cost a pretty penny. Didn't United pay what was then a world record fee for Alan Shearer?

Sandro's rise at United has been nothing short of dramatic. After a blazing debut against Aston Villa when his calling card was a magnificent early goal in a five-goal extravaganza he drifted into relative greyness before suddenly being hit by an explosion which rocked the world of football. He was charged in his own country with betting offences and eventually faced a 10-month ban which ripped the heart out of his transfer and out of the club's plans.

Tonali had looked a little homesick for his beloved AC Milan, was struggling with a new language and new way of life. The ban could have been the last straw but instead it became the basis for his salvation. He used his free time to learn English, bond with new team-mates, and appreciate the unswerving support which poured down from the terraces.

Sandro Tonali emerged as a New Man and, once moved to centre midfield rather than more wide, he has flourished and displayed all his attributes . . . relentless athleticism, radar vision, a wish to pass forward rather than sideways whenever possible, and an ability to anticipate where fires will occur and be there to put them out. Bruno has also benefitted from playing wider right and released to attack the penalty box more while Big Joe is back from injury to become the team's enforcer once again.

Liverpool's midfield is filled with gladiators of course. Alexis Mac Allister is the leader of the gang ably backed up by Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott also there if required. They release the trap for master finisher Mo Salah just as our three do for Isak.

I must admit that like every Geordie I hope for the best and fear the worst. I hope for salvation from a 70-year diet of bread and water and fear another 3-0 outcome like the one I was forced to sit through against Liverpool in 1974.

They have always been two big words in the Geordie vocabulary . . . hope and fear. They intermingle. This is the life of anyone and everyone associated with Newcastle United. We are forever clinging to optimism while aware of the nearness of pessimism. It comes from being let down so often over so many years.

However right now we must believe our pint pot is half full of Broon Ale and not half empty. It is the only way to face those who wish to deny your dreams. We must not walk in fear but with defiance and courage. Those who care dare.

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Carabao Cup final
Watch Newcastle vs Liverpool on Sky Sports

Newcastle face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on March 16 and fans can watch the game with Sky Sports' discounted TV bundle.

The Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle is now £35 and includes more than 1,000 live matches each season across the Premier League, EFL and more.

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