Nathan Jones has ordered his Southampton players to learn from their 4-1 humbling at St Mary’s in November. Newcastle United thrashed the Saints on home soil one week before the World Cup break.
Those Geordies who made the 650-mile round trip were treated to an Eddie Howe masterclass as the Magpies moved up to third in the Premier League. Fast forward to the present and Ralph Hasenhuttl, who took charge of Southampton that day, has been sacked.
Former Luton Town boss Jones is now in the hot seat and has pulled off a giant-killing by eliminating Manchester City from the Carabao Cup. While Southampton are winless in the league since his appointment, three cup wins - including a 2-1 away triumph at Everton in the FA Cup - should provide some concern for Howe.
READ MORE: Bruno 'proud' of Newcastle mentality monsters and praises Wor Flags' display
Newcastle will head into the tie as overwhelming favourites - just as Pep Guardiola and Co did last night. Speaking after the draw, Jones admitted the Magpies will be a difficult test and his side must improve from November’s drubbing.
“(The) semi-finals are going to be tough, tough, tough,” he said. “It won't be any tougher than playing Man City. I watched the game where Newcastle were here prior to my appointment and we've got to be better than that.
“It’s over two games but what a wonderful game. One we play here (at St Mary’s) first and then we go to one of the cathedrals of English football with close to 60,000 in there. What a wonderful occasion but it's a semi-final of a cup and it's a good feeling.
“It's all about being aggressive but managing the game and becoming this football team that we want to be. Southampton have been, and in the past under the previous manager, a really aggressive football club. He (Ralph Hasenhuttl) did a fantastic job, the previous manager, so don’t ever think that I’ll disrespect that job.
“It’s a good night but we won't get carried away because we’ve got to go again. We could come back down to earth with a bang on the weekend. But what we have to do is maintain those levels. If we maintain those levels, we'll be fine.”
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe's Newcastle cup message as he sets sights on Wembley
Newcastle United smash League Cup hoodoo with deserved win to keep Wembley dream alive
Newcastle United goal hero Dan Burn sends 'this year we want a cup' message
Howe reacts to Burn's first Newcastle goal after 'excellent' Carabao Cup showing
Kieran Trippier hails 'brilliant' Newcastle United team-mates
