STEVE MCCLAREN has insisted that Newcastle United will be taking their Capital One Cup tie against Northampton Town very seriously and hopes his side can play with freedom.
McClaren arrived as Newcastle manager keen to treat the cup competitions with respect, which is a step change from club policy in the past. And the manager, who won the cup with Middlesbrough in 2004, knows what a boost success in the knockout tournaments can bring to the club.
McClaren said: “Very serious. It can be a great boost for you. It's another game and nobody – nobody – in football wants to lose a football match and they put a team out that can win that game, and that's what we will be doing tomorrow.
“We'll be putting out strongest team possible out, taking into account what happened on Saturday, taking into account there's a game next Saturday, taking into account that we have got a very good squad.
“But tomorrow night's team is strong enough and good enough to win the game. The attitude has to be right, though.”
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