Southampton boss Nathan Jones believes Newcastle United have a real 'opportunity' to win the Carabao Cup because the Magpies are a 'very difficult side' to play against.
Newcastle have reached their first League Cup final since 1976 after seeing off Jones' team in the last four. Ten-man Newcastle booked their place at Wembley on Tuesday night thanks to a double from Sean Longstaff in a 2-1 victory at St James' Park, which sent the hosts through 3-1 on aggregate.
Jones made a point of congratulating Newcastle after the game and said the black-and-whites deserved to go through over the course of two legs. Jones has no doubt that Newcastle will give Manchester United a real game in the final later this month if the Red Devils see off Nottingham Forest tonight, as expected, following a 3-0 win in the first-leg. In fact, the Southampton manager as good as warned the victor of that semi-final about what is coming their way.
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"Whoever Newcastle play in the final, they have got an opportunity," Jones told reporters. "They are a good side.
"They are third in the Premier League at just over the halfway stage so they must be doing something right. In terms of the recruitment they have done, in terms of the time that Eddie has had here, he's done a wonderful job and they are a very difficult side: big, strong, athletic.
"They run, they can handle the football, they have got some wonderful players in certain areas. You look at [Miguel] Almiron, Bruno [Guimaraes], Joelinton. Plus they work hard and are very systematic so they are a tough side to play in any competition."
Our 48-page Carabao Cup final special is available to pre-order now! Click HERE to get your copy as Newcastle United prepare for a historic day out at Wembley. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from February 15th.
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