Not so much a case of not trying as hard or anything close. More of a case of re-prioritising certain fixtures.
Imagine for example we draw the first leg of the League Cup semi Final. Would it then be wrong to rest a few players for the Newcastle League game to enable a full strength team to go and try to win the 2nd leg? More so if by that time we have beaten or drawn at Liverpool?
Totally get what you are saying about the Utd and Newcastle blow ups.....its a different league now, it would be difficult for any one of the chasing pack to put the kind of run together required to get anywhere near us. Dont forget they are involved in Europe and are all fighting for three Champions league places. 15 points at this stage of a season is near impossible to pull back. We have Chelsea and United to play at home where if either were closing the gap a draw would be suffice for us.
I am not suggesting we suddenly play a "league Cup" team against Spurs away in the League, but prioritising cup games where appropriate might be an idea.