Who first said "patience is a virtue?" Well, it is attributed to English poet William Langland who used the line in his poem Piers Plowman way back in 1360 from when it became part our everyday language.
It has of course been borrowed in the last week by Newcastle director Mehrdad Ghodoussi when addressing the massed throngs of Tyneside.
Maybe "keep the faith" would have been a more modern idiom but we know what he means in dousing the flames while he and his colleagues try to get transfer deals over the line without their eyes being taken out.
READ MORE: Should NUFC move on from the Botman deal?
We get it and we are cool. We remember how well January turned out. Nevertheless when it comes to Hugo Ekitike and Sven Botman all at Newcastle - board, manager and fans - have certainly required patience in a huge dollop.
I mean a guy pushing a steamroller up a hill could make more progress. Talk about the players, their agents, and their clubs adopting a belt and braces approach.
Both Ekitike and Botman were scouted regularly last year and in the last seven months from the beginning of January transfer negotiations have been relentlessly ongoing.
We have been told that a deal is "edging closer to completion" almost daily without any firm evidence that it actually is. We really do 'keep the faith' and have 'patience' because after the mistrust created by Mike Ashley belief has taken over. Fans are as one. United.
Yet what can be the problems? United have been consistent in their interest but the goalposts move more than confetti in a high wind. With Botman it appears to be obvious. His first choice is AC Milan but, steeped in the red tape of a takeover, they are finding it difficult to do a deal. Meanwhile the Dutchman stalls in hope.
As for Ekitike the excuses have been many fold. First his club Reims are trying to squeeze every bit of juice out of the orange and keep coming up with another clause, then his agent is after making his cut as big as possible which means playing the field, and the player himself has gone from his stance in January of being unsure he was ready for such a huge move to a far off city while a teenager to seeking reassurances on his playing time and the not inconsiderable problem which have arisen in 2022 over a succession of hamstring injuries.
It is understandable that young men will wish to make certain their first big move is the right one but, really, eventually you have to take a punt guys. United are willing to, are you?
I only hope Hugo and Sven are as good as they think they are and as good as Newcastle unquestionably think they are otherwise a great deal of time has been wasted.
Because until United know whether their top two targets are going to sign or not it impacts on what they will do elsewhere, not least in terms of other strikers and central defenders which are two key positions needing to be strengthened this close season. You can only wait so long as we found out in January.
Don't get me wrong. I hope Ekitike and Botman come, only sooner rather than later. New owners deserve a break because they have earned it the hard way and a patient Toon Army deserve reward for unflinching devotion.
Geordies are not a prawn sandwich brigade. They are cradle to grave supporters come what may and it is their turn at long last to live in hope rather than despair.
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
READ NEXT
Hugo Ekitike prepared to cut holiday short to secure Newcastle move
Newcastle players prepare for gruelling reunion after 'no hiding place' warning
Newcastle United familiar with AC Milan's transfer issue amid Sven Botman battle
Newcastle's 'world-class' stadium prospect may help with summer transfer targets
Jesse Lingard 'testing market' on big wage demands after Newcastle's January bid
