Jeff Stelling in fine Newcastle United form but Sunderland fans not impressed…

A great day had by all by the looks of it, a Newcastle United atmosphere to savour.

I got the score correct but not our first scorer of the season. I hope somebody backed Fabian Schar though as his inclusion wasn’t a certainty.

I had nipped out to Wetherspoons (Fire Starion, Whitley Bay) for a few early pints yesterday morning, and the place was soon filling up with young lads and lasses in their new strips (the third strip that has caused all the unnecessary controversy is great).

I could actually sense their excitement and anticipation and spoke to a few about their hopes and aspirations for this season. I got the usual answers of ‘being happy with a top 8 finish and a decent cup run’. Where this deluded Geordie rubbish comes from is anyone’s guess.

I explained that the transfer window doesn’t close until the end of August and that it looks clear Newcastle are to spend considerably on attacking options. There will also be further recruitment in January 2023.

This seemed to cheer the young-uns up.

I then headed to Tynemouth club for another couple with my mates. We watched Liverpool struggle against Fulham, even though the red scousers had the ref playing for them, especially in the first half. Klopp’s reactions were a sight to behold at times.

My appetite had been whetted by Fulham’s gritty display that was full of promise for their season and I headed for home.

The ‘stellar’ (not the Monk juice) Jeff Stelling was in fine form, declaring that St James’ Park was the only place to be before kick-off as the atmosphere of the occasion was ramping up.

I spotted last night that he got pelters off the SMBs on RTGs Sportwashing thread.

Apparently Jeff “only crawled back to Sky because nobody else wanted him, and signed his new contract on the stipulation that…he would praise the Saudi ownership of our club”.

He’s also a “Hartlepool Mag” apparently and all because the poor bloke had stated the obvious to Sky’s viewers.

Jeff Stelling is the best presenter on football since the days of the great Brian Moore, Jimmy Hill and David Coleman… God rest their souls.

Eddie Howe had Sven Botman on the bench and plumped for Nick Pope ahead of Martin Dubravka.

It didn’t take long for the Toon to get into their stride and the midfield of Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock and Almiron were soon swarming all over Steve Cooper’s side.

Surprisingly it was still goalless at half-time, but Newcastle took the bull by the horns again from the restart, and right on cue Schar came up with a rare gem.

Soon after Allan Saint-Maximin, who had been in the thick of the action all day, fed the ball out to Joelinton on the left and his cross was met with a deft and sublime finish by Callum Wilson.

Job done, three points in the bag and a confident start to a new campaign for a change.

There are obviously tougher challenges lying ahead than newly promoted Forest, but you can only beat what you have in front of you, and we did that comprehensively.

It was also great to see the after match picture from the dressing room again and long may they continue.

This is the best Newcastle United team for spirit and morale since Kevin Keegan’s that began its journey in 1992.

Well done again Eddie Howe and congratulations on your new deal….Boss.

HTL