Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Club News

NATHAN JONES ON THE NEWCASTLE UNITED TIE

4 January 2018

Apologies, this video is unvailable.
Club News

NATHAN JONES ON THE NEWCASTLE UNITED TIE

4 January 2018

Sponsored by

Town boss Nathan Jones has labelled Saturday's Emirates FA Cup third round tie a 'wonderful occasion' as the Hatters prepare to take on Premier League side Newcastle United.

The gaffer spoke shortly after the announcement of his new four-year contract with the Town, as he hopes his desire to stay at the club will help bring further stability.

He said: "It has been going on since August. The timing has meant that it has come out now, and we would have liked to have done it earlier, but manager's contracts are slightly more complicated than player ones.

"As soon as the club offered me the opportunity to extend my contract I wanted to do that, because I want to be here for a while. We believe we are building something here and for that there needs to be stability – that starts with the board and the manager and then right through out."

The Welshman's new deal also comes in the build-up to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup clash, with the Hatters hoping to recreate the heroics of 2013 when the Town knocked out then Premier League Norwich City.

Jones explained: "It'll be a wonderful occasion in terms of pitting our wits against a Premier League outfit, and that's the beauty of the Cup. It's the romance of the Cup and it's about time we had a real romantic one, so we are pleased.
"It'll be a fantastic occasion going up there, it's a wonderful stadium full of tradition and they're coming back to good times. It's a great tie for us."

Jones will have to make at least one change to his starting line-up, with Alan Sheehan missing out due to the red card he picked up in the 4-2 win against Lincoln City.

The manager is confident he can fill the void – whether that's with a player currently at his disposal or potentially bringing someone in.

"We moved Glen Rea back into the back four the other day against Lincoln City and he did fantastically well, so we have options," he continued.

"We're considering all things, we don't need too much, but if the opportunity comes for us to strengthen our squad, then we want to do that.

"We constantly keep saying that we want to keep moving forward. Every single window we want to keep moving forward and what we won't do now is rest on our laurels and think 'We're top of the league, we're in a good place'.

"If the opportunity arises for us to strengthen our squad, to move forward, safely, with better, then we will.

"If we can improve the squad, there'll be a discussion on one or two that are not impacting as much as they would like. We're happy with everyone here, it's just trying to keep everyone happy that is the main problem."


Advertisement block

Hatters Player Next Match Tickets Account