New beginnings

It's Souness's first game in charge of Newcastle tonight, as we take on a team of unfancied unknowns from Israel, Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin, in the UEFA Cup First Round.

Whilst we need to show them some respect, all that really means is that we mustn't be complacent. As long as we play to our strengths, as we did against Blackburn on Saturday, we should be able to notch a comfortable win - I say "should" because nothing is predictable as far as Newcastle are concerned.

With the potentially tricky away tie to come, we need to be as clinical as possible in front of the home crowd. Another good victory would mark Souness's managerial tenure in style and send us into Sunday's bogey match away at Southampton on a high.

Not too much to ask for, surely?

And who knows - at this stage of the competition (ie before a ball's even been kicked), we can still dream of going one better than last year and lifting the trophy.

Indeed, I did hear a rumour that we might be right up amongst the favourites in the betting stakes. Take my advice: spend your money wisely elsewhere...