Listen to some pundits or have a quick scan of social media and you might question whether Nottingham Forest are even still in the Carabao Cup.
Plenty already have it down as Manchester United and Newcastle United battling it out to lift the trophy at Wembley, and that’s before a ball has even been kicked in the semi-finals. The prospect of the Reds or Southampton making it through is barely entertained.
No sooner had the draw been made than most of the chatter doing the rounds was that United boss Erik ten Hag had been presented with a golden opportunity to claim some silverware. Likewise, for Eddie Howe at St James’ Park.
