Sousa urges Swans to bridge gap
Newcastle's likely XI this weekend features mega-money signings like Fabricio Coloccini (£9.5million), Jose Enrique (£6.5million) and Alan Smith (£6million).
In all, Chris Hughton's probable team cost around £33million to assemble — despite the fact that two players came through the youth ranks and another two are on loan.
Swansea's possible side, meantime, was put together for just £1.41million — but Sousa believes they can cause a shock on Tyneside.
"The money they have spent is reflected a lot in some of their games," said the Swansea manager.
"Sometimes they can win by walking — they don't have to run because of the quality they have got.
"They don't need to be 100 per cent. Sometimes they don't look so good, but in the end they win because they have better players with more experience.
"They should be in the Premier League and I think they will be back there at the end of the season, probably after winning our division.
"But we are in good form also, and if we are at our best — as we have been — it's difficult for anyone to beat us.
"I think if you have quality, as we have, and you work hard, you can disturb them. We can cause them some problems and create some pressure for them, because everyone expects them to win all the time."
Relegated last season, Newcastle lead the second tier by two points having won their last four matches and are yet to lose on their own patch this season.
But Swansea could hardly go to St James' Park in better form — they lie fourth having put together a rousing 11-game unbeaten stretch.
Garry Monk (calf) seems certain to miss the game along with Mark Gower — now complaining of hamstring trouble after a back problem — and Stephen Dobbie, who faces a fortnight out with an ankle injury.
But Sousa insisted: "We aim to be competitive in every game we play and at the end we look for three points.
"We can be stronger than we are now — there is space for progress — but we have reached the stage where we are always competitive already."
Swansea are boosted by new recruit David Cotterill, who is tipped to start on the bench tomorrow after arriving from Sheffield United this week in a deal worth around £500,000.
That is pocket money to Newcastle, who are likely to be without £6million man Ryan Taylor as well as Joey Barton (£5.8million) and Nicky Butt (£2.5million).
Sousa, though, claims he is not jealous of the resources Newcastle have.
"Money helps you, of course, but you have to have ideas as well," added the Portuguese.
"I am not envious. I would like to have money because you can achieve steps forward more quickly, but I don't care what they have."
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