So the juggernaut that was once Del Boy's three-wheeled van thunders on. Next in opposition come the extravagantly named Brighton and Hove Albion, up from the south coast to try and deflate all the optimism that surrounds a new look Newcastle United.
They have produced a knock-out punch far too often in the past but this is different. This is about the Geordie Giant and On-Loan Matt, rejuvenated midfielders Big Joe and Little Joe, Duracell bunny Fraser and a whole different mindset. It is above all of course Dan Burn's match. A Newcastle season ticket holder who confirmed his reputation with the Seagulls and is now back home to face his old club.
Already a cult hero, fans are dying for his first goal just as much as they are with Chris Wood. One of the most significant changes which has led to United's resurgence has been a huge tightening of a porous defence in which Burn has played a major part.
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United began the season leaking 12 goals in their first four league fixtures. Now it is four goals conceded in their last seven matches. From Santa bearing gifts United have become Scrooge and we are all grateful. Before the tightening up which has seen no more than a single goal conceded in any match United chucked in 11 in three outings immediately prior to the opening of the January transfer window which saw three new much needed signings brought in to bolster a disastrous back four.
Ironically due to Kieran Trippier's injury, Matt Targett not able to play against his parent club, and a delayed start for Burn United have never been able to simultaneously field all three newcomers in their back line. No matter, the overall influence has been what was desired with the combination of Burn and Targett certainly shoring up United's left hand side.
The feeling is that Brighton will not view their hosts with much affection upon the coming together. Not because of Burn's sale which pretty much went through with understanding and their best wishes but because United have also spirited away Dan Ashworth to become their new director of football and then pursued academy boss John Morling to potentially further dilute staff before the club felt forced to sack him over an alleged Covid offence. United, you feel, have already become an irritant before a ball is kicked on Tyneside. Well, let us add to it.
Brighton and their boss Graham Potter have been lauded all season as the model for struggling sides to aspire to but two successive home defeats to non-elite opposition Burnley and Aston Villa - no goals scored and five conceded - on top of a loss at Manchester United have dulled their sheen. Can United take advantage? They will desperately wish to with so many away days coming up.
However what offsets Albion's current poor form is United's equally miserly return against them. This is the 10th top-flight meeting between the two and Newcastle are yet to win any of them. The count shows five draws and four losses.
Indeed buried among those figures is the even more disturbing fact that Brighton have won two and drawn the other two of their four PL visits to SJP with United having failed to register a single goal. Still records are there to be broken! If Burn was once part of Brighton's success against United he must now help the Mags end their poor record against his former employees.
What has been intriguing during United's current unbeaten run dating back to the end of last year is its effect on team selection. Eddie Howe tells his troops 'if you do it for me you stay in the team.' Such loyalty has led to Bruno Guimaraes, just about the costliest signing in United's history, still waiting for his first start after four matches, the skipper Jamaal Lascelles being unable to get back into the team after injury, and United's accepted biggest weapon Allan Saint-Maximin now possibly facing a similar dilemma. Who would have thought it!
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There are a couple of gigs coming up featuring Newcastle No.9 Legends which is as good as it gets. First SuperMac, myself and Steve Wraith are taking our NUFC Matters podcast out live before an audience at the Marlbrough Social Club in Newcastle on Saturday April 9 at noon.
We do the podcasts every Thursday and they have proved so successful we are going on the road to meet United fans. Tickets cost £10 and are available from www.newcastlelegends.com. Then there is Alan Shearer, United's record goalscorer, who is headlining a top-of-the-range black-tie dinner at St James Park a couple of days before.
The 260 dinner, the brainchild of Toon fans Steve Wraith and Danny Mitchell, will take place in the Barracks Suite at St James’ Park on Thursday April 7 when a percentage of funds raised will go to local charities. A table of 10 costs £2,600 plus VAT which includes a three course meal and coffee and access to a unique auction and limited edition signed memorabilia. Tickets are available from www.260dinner.co.uk
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