Triple test Newcastle United cannot fail even at this stage of the season
When I was a very young man with a head full of dreams and aspirations I used to revel in the great rock and rollers of my era.
I vividly remember rocking up to an Eddie Cochran concert at the Newcastle Empire in March of 1960 when he was supported by the legendary likes of Gene Vincent, Billy Fury, Joe Brown and Georgie Fame which was quite a bill. Within a month Cochran was dead, killed in a car crash at the end of the same British tour. He was 21 and his last recording Three Steps To Heaven soared to No 1 on an outpouring of emotion.
Eddie was backed by The Crickets on that memorable record. My love of music had also drawn me to see Buddy Holly with the same Crickets, his main group not Eddie's, at the City Hall on March 6 two years earlier. I still have my ticket stub, seat 16Q, and the souvenir newspaper brought out by the Chronicle.
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Eddie and Buddy were great friends and, no, I wasn't a jinx even though Holly died in a plane crash within a year of his Newcastle gig! I was just privileged to see them both before it was too late.
What brought on this sudden bout of nostalgia? Out of the blue on a whimsy autumn night when cold begins to bite and warm feelings are recalled, my mind drifted back to the great old days in a great city highlighted for me by Cochran's original rendition of Three Steps to Heaven which was a personal favourite, and it dawned on me that my other great love, Newcastle United, are about to embark on three significant steps of their own towards what could become Premier League heaven. May it not turn out to be hell.
Starting Saturday afternoon United entertain Brighton, visit Chelsea, and return home to face title contenders Arsenal in a triple test of their European credentials. If it is not make or break it feels like it.
All three clubs are currently above seventh-placed Newcastle who will have to secure a decent amount of points if they are to be taken seriously in their much-trumpeted talk of a return to continental competition. United have a reputation for raising their game against the best and two of those three fixtures are at home so the chance is there to enjoy a piece of heavenly joy and worry the life out of those who believe the Champions League and lesser Euro competitions are theirs by birthright. Equally trip up and reality will set in big time that we could fall short of our desire come the end of all hostilities. That is the importance of their immediate journey.
Brighton are the great pretenders, the small club built on shrewd investment in personnel who threaten to gatecrash the residency of the big city clubs despite selling on their crown jewels. They often fall just short but, my, they worry many along the way.
United have to beware of complacency and secure three points before the even greater tests against two of the capitals high flyers backed by what appears to be unlimited spending power despite financial fair play.
The Seagulls will be hoping that Yankuba Minteh, bought from United amid days of financial panic, will turn out to be another who increases three fold in value. The Magpies will be hoping his first appearance at St James' Park will not showcase his talents.
Instead we hope another winger Anthony Gordon continues his vast improvement in form returning to the tiger he was last season and that Alexander Isak, who Newcastle are also trying to tie down to a long term contract to see off the vultures, is able to resume up top. He is desperately required and Gordon as well as fans would welcome his return because it would allow Anthony to revert to what he does best.
One goal has to become more for last term's 25-goal man which Isak can easily achieve with match sharpness to go alongside technique and intelligent reading of the game.
Lewis Dunk, an England international who played at the centre of Brighton's defence at the same time as Dan Burn, has made more than 450 appearances in blue-and-white stripes but his legs aren't getting any quicker and Isak would trouble him.
What United must do is release Sandro Tonali from any cautionary restrictions alongside their two Brazilians to try and secure midfield dominance, the most influential platform for any team. United have been keen to ensure that Tonali doesn't burn out after missing 10 months through his ban but the Italian national team have taken a totally different approach wringing every minute they possibly can out of their former AC Milan star.
True he was subbed for the final 10 minutes against Belgium but he has featured in every minute of Italy's other three Nations League matches since his comeback. Not only played throughout but received rave notices for, amongst other things, his fitness and relentless running. United need to have a bit of that. Caution not required for a player desperate to make up for lost time.
Three steps to heaven for our own Eddie rather than the other Eddie? Let's take it one step at a time. Brighton can set the mood.