After losing their opening two games the locals are understandably a little edgy. A good start in the Premier League isn’t the be-all and end-all but two defeats can soon become three, four and then a habit that’s difficult to shake. Before kick-off, in a stand of approximately 11, 000, there’s a solitary flag on display. The call to arms from Newcastle fans is to back the manager, and the imposing image of Rafa Benitez stands alone, defiant. It might seem ridiculous that after two games such a stance is required, but Frank De Boer will concur that in football, and in particular the Premier League, anything is possible.
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Mark Dutton
www.true-faith.co.uk