Steve Cooper has his eyes firmly focused on preparing Nottingham Forest for their clash with Newcastle United rather than paying any attention to the Magpies' long-term project. The Toon have been the talk of the Premier League after the Saudi Arabian PIF takeover last season, making them the richest club in world football.
Financial Fair Play has limited the Magpies in terms of their transfer wheeling and dealings, but under Eddie Howe they've transformed from relegation certainties to European contenders. If Newcastle are able to secure a return to European football this season, it would be the second step towards what a new era on Tyneside might look like, after reaching the Carabao Cup Final earlier this year.
Manchester United would come away with the silverware on that occasion, but the board have reiterated their long-term desire to lift silverware. Amanda Staveley said she was confident the club would win the lot.
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When asked about whether he thought Newcastle could be considered genuine title contenders in the future, Cooper said: "I think they're a real good team now and a tough opponent for our next game. I think you can see the progress that they've made over the last 12 months, certainly this season and I guess their intention is to keep growing.
"I guess they're better fixed to answer that question than me, but what I do know is, it's going to be a tough game. They have some obvious qualities, an athletic team as well, a lot of running as well as quality and we've got to be able to match that as a starting point.
"But we're fully aware of it and clear of what it takes to do well in a game and focus on delivering that."
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