I loved the original 1960 classic western The Magnificent Seven starring the man in black Yul Brynner, king of cool Steve McQueen, old stoneface Charles Bronson, and knife throwing dude James Coburn. I could easily have joined that gang of swaggerers!

Well, we're hoping that football's version of The Magnificent Seven is what is awaiting us when action starts up again this coming weekend.

Newcastle have seven more Premier League matches until the end of the season - the Mag Seven - and after our latest couple of humiliations we need them to be magnificent. Eddie Howe certainly does. He has plenty on the line as leader of the pack just like Brynner.

CEO David Hopkinson who had a two hour meeting with Howe before facing the Press upon the release of United's accounts raised a few eyebrows by refusing to give the manager unconditional support and instead emphasised that the seven-match run was centre piece and qualification for Europe in some shape or form essential. No pressure there then!

If there was any danger of United's season petering out amid indifference then...