My local, the Fat Ox in Whitley Bay, is a popular black and white stronghold and has a canny juke box that is situated behind the bar.
The regulars are encouraged by the management to pass on a set of their favourite tracks, so we get to sample the favourites of different customers.
Whilst sitting drinking with my mate Dag the other day an endearing 1970s record came on.
‘They Shoot Horses Don’t They?’ was a UK chart hit for Racing Cars in 1977.
As we both listened to this blast from the past, we agreed it was probably worthy of being on any punter’s personal hitlist.
I then joked that Callum Wilson had sprang to mind as I absorbed the lyrics and Dag laughingly agreed.
When I was settling down to listen to the football on the radio last night, I recieved a message from another mate Amy telling me that Callum Wilson had been ruled out for a further two months.
He’s only been back two bloody minutes it seems and I’m afraid that this has got to signal the end for Wilson.
We should have pulled out all the stops last season to offload him but it’s easier said than done with a player who is constantly on the treatment table.
He is currently once again worthless to Newcastle United and if I was him I would be seriously thinking about hanging up my boots.
Eddie Howe must get straight on the blower to Paul Mitchell and demand that we immediately start looking to bring in a striker in January as a matter of grave necessity.
I also believe that it is far more likely now that Bruno Guimaraes could be sold to Manchester City in the forthcoming transfer window.
That’s because Newcastle United also require a right winger and a right-sided centre-back.
Back to the midweek football action and I just cannot get captivated by the Champions League.
Although a massive money spinner for the clubs involved, this sterile competition lost it’s appeal to me many moons ago.
I was actually more interested in the EFL results, particularly those near the top of the Championship.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United are beginning to come good and put Middlesbrough to the sword 3-1 at Elland Road on Tuesday.
Scott Parker’s Burnley slipped up and could only manage a goalless draw at home to Derby County.
Sunderland managed to salvage a spawny point with a last gasp goal against Bristol City at a half empty Stadium of Light.
After a decent start to the season, the mackems are now dropping off the pace and it seems their fickle fans have already sensed another false dawn.
Blackburn Rovers are beginning to emerge as contenders for the play-offs and picked up another three points against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
On Wednesday, Sheffield United regained top spot from Leeds after a hard fought 1-0 win against Millwall at the New Den.
West Bromich Albion could be a dark horse to look out for in the second half of the season and they recorded a 2-0 victory against Coventry City at the Hawthorns.
We have a massive game coming up ourselves at the weekend.
I’ll even go so far as to say that Leicester City at St James’ Park is a ‘must win’ game for everybody from the manager and team, right down to the supporters.
The dire potential consequences of another poor Newcastle United result against lower table opposition doesn’t bear thinking about.