Eddie Howe has stated that reaching a semi-final is "not enough" for Newcastle United's long suffering supporters.
The Magpies boss is firmly focused on reaching the club's first major final since 1999 and knows that only Southampton stand in the way of the big Wembley occasion next month. Howe is eager to be the first man since Ruud Gullit to lead the team out at the famous venue of legends.
But when asked about the semi-final encounter on the South Coast, Howe said: "We're delighted to be where we are, but the semi-final itself isn't enough. I don't think it's enough for anybody.
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"I think you go into these games and to say you got to a semi-final means nothing, ultimately. You want to get one step further and I know the players feel the same way.
"Me and my coaching team feel passionate about it that we want to make the final, but we have to navigate these two games. "They're going to be very difficult."
Southampton slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday but will now face the distraction of three cup ties in a row, against Newcastle (twice) and Blackpool at the weekend.
Howe, with Newcastle out the FA Cup after losing to Sheff Wed, is focused on nothing but the Saints and said: "To be honest, just being in the semi-final was all we cared about. Beating Leicester was our big priority and then you just take whatever's in front of you. We'll take how it's panned out.
"We know what we've got to do. It's very tough to deliver that - these are going to be two really, really difficult games for us. We're under no illusions of that, and starting with the away leg will be very difficult.
"I'm sure it will be a really good atmosphere. It's always a tough place to play, but we look forward to the challenge and we try to embrace the pressure that we face and try to get the players to enjoy what's ahead."
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