Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has insisted his stance on the domestic cup competitions has never changed - despite the Magpies now being handed a big chance to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup with a last 16 draw against League Two opponents.
United will now travel to Newport County to face another lower league side after a 7-0 victory over Morecambe raised spirits on Tyneside.
But despite being handed a less daunting pathway to the latter stages, Bruce says that was not in his thinking after naming a strong outfit against the Shrimpers.
He said: "It’s a chance, of course it is.
"I’ve had the same attitude ever since I walked through the door – let’s have a real go at this.
"Let’s have a real crack."
Newcastle chief Bruce reckons that his squad can now deal with the rigours of the Premier League and the knockout competitions - something that was frowned upon under previous managers.
Bruce said: "We’ve got a squad now which is certainly capable.
"Of course, we got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season and came unstuck against Man City, but let’s get ourselves a crack at this.
"Why not? We are capable of winning five or six games.
"If the draw is kind to you, who knows? Let’s have a go."
