Anybody who remembers my Luton days (great times) knows I once played under Joe Kinnear at Kenilworth Road.
Newcastle have appointed a good football man in Joe, a true manager rather than a coach.
My experience with him was in League Two at the time and you could tell even then that Joe likes to play attacking football, although in this situation at St James' Park I don’t think his style of football will particularly matter. The players need a figurehead, Joe’s an out-and-out football manager, he sets his teams out the way he wants them to play – he’s a real manager if you see what I mean.
You didn’t always see him every day around the training ground at Luton, but you were always fully aware of how he wanted you to play. He will be clear in telling the players how he wants them to play, but of course it will be difficult for him to achieve fantastic things in just six games.
It seems Joe’s been told by the club it will change hands, possibly to Kevin Keegan or Alan Shearer, but while it is under his control the club can rest easy.
Joe’s a very good football man, he’s managed throughout the leagues, and you don’t get the Newcastle job if you’re not a good manager. He knows how to deal with all types of player, young players or big names, so there are no worries there.
RETURNING TO ACTION
I'm delighted to say my toe feels good, I’ve had a chat with the relevant people, with specialists, there’s no pain and now it’s a case of kicking on - getting back into a match situation.
I've been back in training since the start of the week, and all the strengthening training done before that seems to have paid off because the toe feels good.
Obviously there’s always a chance with anything that you can redo the injury, but as far as I’m concerned it’s five weeks since I did it, my recovery’s been good, I’ve been well-looked-after and I’ve done the right things. I’ve been happy with how I’ve healed, I was told 5-8 weeks, so this is best case scenario.
Now it’s a case of getting back in the team, I’ll be travelling with the squad tomorrow so hopefully I can feature. I’ve been like a coiled spring since receiving the injury, it may only be five weeks out but it just reminds you how much you love football. I’m itching to get back.