Well, well, well as the old saying goes 'one swallow doesn't make the summer' but 3 goals in 1 game, a scrappy dogged fighting performance from a group of players, alot of whom on here, including me wrote off as spineless, skill-less, clueless Chimpo standard, salary stealing sh!tbags.

For the most part the squad is not good enough to play for Newcastle United F.C. because we know in our hearts what this club should be, based on our knowledge of the long and former glorious history.

However, let's talk the here and now. Eddie Howe.

It has taken this guy a good few games to stop the rot left by 14 yrs of absentee ownership, lack of investment and incompetent 'yes' man gutless management.

Howe-ver, in each game, as was visible during the Rafa-lution, I/we (I hope we) have seen incremental improvements all over the pitch.

I don't think anyone of the new owners and management team quite realised the size of the task at hand or the level to which the club had decayed under the previous regime. Them coming in so quickly was a shock to all parties.

Our expectations ran ultra high and Geordie optimism is as infection as any drug or virus!

Howe's time away with Simeone, looks to be paying dividends as he has managed to take a tactically incompetent and unstructured defensive unit and make is a much more formidable barrier to the attacks of opposition.

The time spent in Madrid also lead to one clear master stroke, the signing of world class right back Kieran Trippier.

The man is immense!

Not just that world class free kick to seal the 3 points for us last night, but, his uncompromising standard as a professional are ringing the change in attitude across the whole squad.

They always say 'if you wanna get better at a sport you have to play people better than you.'

Well when a true winner like Tripz comes in to the dressing room, training ground and match day team those around him have to up their game or get out of the way.

Fortunately with the guidance of Howe and his technical team combined with the leadership, professionalism and winning attitude of Trippier we see a fight in our players like never before.

Shelvey, the laziest most useless B*****d on the pitch under the Cabbage Cabinet is transformed. The bald Bassa ran his ass off last night. Admittedly should have seen red for that shocker if a tackle but nice to see a bit of good fortune go our way for once!

The anger from Lescelles for not clearing his lines was a great sight. A man, a captain who we have all lambasted for good reason shows the steal we once earned him great plaudits. It really looks like the fire has been re-ignited in the whole squad and that is clear to see.

Schar was not at his best and I think that will see a change at the back with Burn coming in against Villa. The introduction of Targett has given a real sense of balance and quality we haven't seen since the days of Jose Enrique.

On a final note. Once again I return to the manager.

I tip my cap to Eddie for having the balls to start Bruno & Burn on the bench. We all had our line us in our heads & on the boards, in chats and group texts. Everyone of us started Bruno. Well played to Eddie Howe for proving why being a pro manager is a million miles from being a Football Manager legendary keyboard warrior.

We'll be safe now. With the quality coming into the squad (did you see that back heel from Bruno in the corner of 89 mins - I got a semi!) the renewed competition for places, the ambition of Trippier & Bruno to continue to be winners, the direct and exacting action from the owners to pay the staff a living wage, re-engage the fan base, the city and the region, the restoration of dignity and pride in our tribal lands, our blood line and heritage, It's a great day to be a Geordie!

Geordie Arabia, Alhamdullilah!

HWTL!