Newcastle United star Dan Burn can sense a mentality change at St James Park after assessing the reaction to Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Not so long ago, in the days of limited ambition and drive under former owner Mike Ashley, cup competitions were viewed as a nuisance by those at the top level of the club and one that possessed a genuine threat to the Magpies’ Premier League status and the lucrative financial rewards that it brings.

The arrival of the PIF-led ownership in October 2021 brought a new outlook, renewed hope and appeared to present a genuine opportunity to bring an end to a long wait for domestic silverware that has now entered its 70th year. A near miss came in the Carabao Cup Final defeat to Manchester United two years ago and the Magpies will get another opportunity in the same competition when they face Liverpool at Wembley later this month.

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There had been high hopes Eddie Howe’s men could seriously challenge for a first FA Cup win since 1955 as they progressed into the last 16 of the competition with wins against Bromley and Birmingham City. But any thoughts of a second visit to the national stadium this season came crashing down amid an underwhelming display in a 2-1 defeat against Burn’s former club Brighton on Sunday.

“I think the fact we’re seeing it (the loss) as a big missed opportunity just shows where the club is at, at the moment,” explained the Blyth-born defender. “The gaffer has brought that in. I can’t comment too much on what went on before the gaffer came in, with the different ownership, but I definitely feel as though there’s a real emphasis on the cups now and a real belief that we can get to the latter stages of whatever competition we’re in.

“We want to get to the finals, and when you get to within a game of the quarter-finals and then go out in extra-time, it definitely feels like you’ve missed a chance to potentially do something special. We’d got ourselves in a good position, but the goals we conceded were poor, which I think was similar to the Liverpool game. I don’t think either team had to work particularly hard to get the goals they scored, so from a personal view, that’s disappointing.”

United’s focus will now go on to an awkward looking visit to West Ham United next Monday night before all thoughts turn towards Wembley and the bid to end the club’s long wait for domestic silverware in their Carabao Cup Final clash with the Reds.

Despite their inability to put together a consistent run of form in recent weeks, the Magpies still remain firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot - and Burn believes the run of form that propelled his side into the top six either side of Christmas should act as an inspiration for a resumption of fortunes.

He said: “As inconsistent as we’ve been this season, we’re still in a good position for what we want to achieve. We’re in the European places, and although the league is so tight, we just need to put another run together like the one we had over Christmas to cement that position in the league.

“Then we’ve obviously got the final just around the corner too, which is a massive opportunity. As inconsistent as we have been, we know that if we can just get that together and click, we can be a really good team.”

A return to the Champions League remains high on the list of priorities for Burn and his team-mates after they sampled a taste of some of the biggest arenas in Europe last season. However, Burn’s experience of life at European football’s top table came long before he walked out at the San Siro in a black and white shirt just under 18 months ago.

The powerful defender has consistently spoken of his pride at watching his beloved Magpies from the St James Park stands as Sir Bobby Robson’s United faced the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus during the 2002/03 season.

That is why it felt especially fitting and poignant that Burn received a Personality of the Year award named after Sir Bobby at the North East Football Writers awards on Sunday night as he was recognised for his charity work over the last 12 months. By his own admission, Burn ‘fell in love’ with football during those memorable St James' Park nights and landing an award bearing the great man’s name only added to the pride he felt at Ramside Hall.

He said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to get the award. Watching Sir Bobby’s sides was why I fell in love with football, all those Champions League nights. It was amazing going to St James’ Park in those days and hearing the roar of the crowd, that’s all I wanted to do and he was a real part of that dream for me. So, to be given an award that’s in association with him and his Foundation is a massive honour.

“I’ve not had a lot of football awards! It’s nice to be recognised for something away from football. The amount of texts I’ve had from people saying, ‘I didn’t even realise you had a personality’ has been interesting! It’s nice. I’m proud. My mam and wife are here, and they’re very proud as well. It’s just something I’ll be able to look back on with pride.”