Within the boundaries of Geordieland an appreciative audience see Eddie Howe as a miracle worker. He has transformed the mundane into magicians. Turned rank and file into superior footballers.
The locals swear he could walk across the Tyne and not even get his feet wet. Think of Joelinton, a hugely expensive centre-forward who came to the land of No.9 legends unable to bring goals to Newcastle as demanded but has been resurrected as a midfield powerhouse.
Consider Miggy Almiron who took forever _ 26 matches over the best part of a year _ to score his first United goal and managed only one all last season after three and a half years here but is suddenly an eight-goal top scorer and award winner.
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Then remember there is Fabian Schar, destined to be shipped out amongst a lot of dead wood yet through a vast injection of confidence has become an elegant central defender integral to a team third in the best league in the world.
Finally give a nod to the improvement in Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff and you get the drift. So who might Howe be able to sprinkle his stardust upon next and save their Newcastle career? I have my list of contenders needing definite help.
It is topped by Allan Saint-Maximin but includes Jacob Murphy and Matt Targett who without divine intervention could see their black and white careers confined to the dustbin. Then there is what would be the ultimate challenge _ converting Chris Wood.
However let us first deal with the probable rather than the possible or downright rank outsider. Maxi. The conundrum. The frustrating genius. The footballer who could waste a special talent as so many have before him. Or could become better than them all.
What is to happen to our complex box of tricks? I ask because Saint-Maximin has a real chance if he listens to Howe and others who have his well being at heart. He has all the tools. His performance against Manchester City up here just before his injury was mind blowing. Kyle Walker will face no opponent at the World Cup who will do to him what ASM did. And he followed that up with a wonder goal at Wolves to stave off defeat.
However the days when the Saint was undoubtedly United's top player have gone as others of great ability have arrived while some already here have been transformed. Under Steve Bruce Maxi was the only plan in town. Give the ball to him and hope. It is different these days...high pressing, commitment, relentless work, goals and assists.
Allan has talked of winning the Ballon d'Or when he is not yet even a French international. To get to those dizzy heights takes more than God given ability, it takes hard work and total dedication, something his manager in France Patrick Vieira questioned and by the way Vieira made it to the very, very top.
It always looked to the neutral that Maxi would have to eventually leave Newcastle to fulfill his destiny but things have changed and it is now a matter of Maxi having to improve his consistency to remain a key member of a team which is shooting for the stars.
Another wide attacker, Jacob Murphy, is liked by Howe but needs to make that major breakthrough. He is a nearly man possessing skills and pace but unable as yet to put his mark on the first team with plenty of challenges for a wide berth from Maxi, Ryan Fraser, Almiron of course and, yes, Joelinton and Elliot Anderson who can both play there as well as other positions.
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Targett finds himself in a funny old situation. He came on loan last season and presumably was judged an asset enough for a few million to be spent on him in the summer to make the move permanent. Yet he is well out of the starting line up so early after that last decision.
Where Dan Burn, a central defender playing left-back, leaves Targett and where the pair of them leave Jamal Lewis and Paul Dummett is all too obvious. Matt quit Aston Villa because Steven Gerrard did not fancy him enough to make him No.1. Now he faces the possibility of a similar situation.
While we rightly laud the many successes this fabulous season _ Bruno, Miggy, Botman, Trippier, Pope, Wilson, Burn _ there are others facing decision time. Who can be rescued all depends on star maker Eddie Howe.
FOOTNOTE: I am working on World Cup duty talking with fans pre-match to England's opener at the Marketshaker in the Bigg Market from 12 noon on Monday when my guest will be former Newcastle United and Everton striker Jim Pearson. Hope to see you there.
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