Newcastle United may be without a victory from their opening three fixtures in the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League campaign, but optimism is beginning to spread around the North East that this Magpies side could achieve something in the near future. Steve McClaren's side registered their first clean sheet of the season in an impressive display as they drew 0-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, and a new style is currently being implemented by the Newcastle backroom staff. 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 nights 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 owners 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. But where exactly will this game by won or lost? And who are the players from both sides that fans should be looking out for? Here, WhatCulture.com/NUFC look at three head-to-head battles that will help to decide the outcome of Newcastle United vs Northampton Town...