Bruno Guimaraes has lifted the lid on an intense player meeting in the aftermath of the defeat to Brentford earlier this month.

The Magpies face the same opponents in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at St James' Park as they bid for a place in the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons. Newcastle beat Leicester City 4-0 at the weekend but only after some honest discussions at the training ground in the build-up to the game.

It has not been the easiest transition for Bruno to become team captain with potential unrest caused by depriving established dressing room insiders such as Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn of the opportunity of leading the team out. But it seems clear that as long as Bruno stays he will wear the armband.

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Bruno said: "We've spoken a lot as a team after the Brentford game. When things don't go right on the pitch it is normal to be upset but we also have to be together. That has been one of our biggest strengths for a long time and a lot of the players say this is the best group they have been part of. But we can also put our friendships to one side when needed.

"To be a true group sometimes you have to have discussions and strong words. That is part of football and we will always do what is best for the club and the team because the most important thing is Newcastle United and being in the position to play our best football."

Newcastle are heading towards the end of what has been a testing 2024 just five points off the Champions League places and still with both domestic cups to attack. Remarkably, they were in exactly the same position in terms of a points deficit from the top four 12 months ago - only this year they are six places further down the table in 12th compared to sixth.

But hopes spring eternal for positive thinking Bruno who sees the last few hurdles of the year as an opportunity. The captain, speaking to the United magazine, added: "We know what we are capable of and we know we have to improve and play better, particularly in games against teams outside the big six. We want to finish 2024 in a strong fashion."