The absence of FA Cup glory has only made Shola Ameobi’s heart grow fonder for it. In Alan Pardew he has a manager desperate to give him his wish. Stuart Rayner reports.

FOR some clubs, the FA Cup is a distraction. For Newcastle United the word is “desperation”.

A new year means one of the most exciting days in the English football calendar – FA Cup third round day. In this part of the world it normally raises hopes soon to be cruelly dashed.

It is 39 years since a North East team won the FA Cup, 57 for arguably its biggest club. Middlesbrough have never managed it.

Twelve months ago, all five of the region’s surviving sides tumbled out at this stage, all bar Hartlepool United to lower-division opponents.

It only strengthened the impression too many clubs are half-hearted about the competition.

Often the team-sheets for these games give the impression managers are happy to sacrifice a place in the famous velvet bag to improve their chances of staying in the division, or getting out of it, or qualifying for Europe.

There will be no such excuses for Alan Pardew this season.

According to Shola Ameobi, the Magpies manager is more enthused about the road to Wembley than any boss he has worked under.

Ameobi played for Sir Bobby Robson, who positively oozed excitement about the Beautiful Game.

The 30-yearold striker said: “I know this manager is really one who wants to bring silverware to this club.

“You can see the enthusiasm he brings the week before every cup game. He really makes us understand its importance, which really has not happened before.

“All through that week, he speaks about it, winning the trophy and doing something great for the fans and for the city.

“As players, we buy into that because we have to. If we are going to move forward as a squad you have to buy into what the manager wants.”

Pardew’s fondness for the Cup is easy to explain.