10 Key Stats Ahead Of Newcastle Vs Northampton Town

Is 2016 really going to be the "year of the Magpie"?

Steve McClaren's revamped Newcastle United have had a mixed start to the Barclays Premier League season. They may have failed to win any of their opening three matches, but a spirited draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Saturday has lifted spirits on Tyneside. Five players have also arrived this summer at a combined cost of almost £50 million, suggesting that Mike Ashley is finally starting to show a bit of ambition at the Magpies, but it is Tuesday night's fixture with Northampton Town at St James' Park (7.45pm kick-off) in the Capital One Cup Second Round that will really prove whether or not Newcastle are sticking to their owner's end-of-season promises. Ashley claimed that he would invest this summer, something he has undoubtedly done, but he also promised that the Magpies would finally take cup competitions seriously. The first of those begins in earnest at St James' Park on Tuesday, when Premier League Newcastle welcome The Cobblers of League Two. So what are the omens like for the Magpies ahead of the game? Can they expect to achieve victory? Here, WhatCulture.com/NUFC takes you through 10 key stats ahead of Newcastle United vs Northampton Town in the Capital One Cup Second Round...

Contributor
Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.