Some would say Albert Luque's Newcastle United career has been as painful to watch as a car crash, but the unfortunate Spaniard had a lucky escape from one before the Magpies Uefa Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Not that Glenn Roeder seemed to be in the least bit bothered by the news that Graeme Souness' £9.5m signing from Deportivo La Coruna had just had a near-death experience! In fact, had the unwanted forward been in the car, instead of outside making a phone call, he might have been in serious trouble.
"He's an experienced person and I don't think he will allow something like this is unsettle him," said United's manager in his pre-match press conference. "He's fine and he'll play against Frankfurt."
Oh okay, that's alright then. A lorry smashes into the back of his car, which, if he had been in it, could have led to a serious injury, but he's fine, not a scratch. Moving on.
I hear Luque is almost certainly on his way in January, with both Villareal and Real Betis wanting to take him back to La Liga. Although no news from Barcelona, mind you the thought of the reigning European Champions wanting him after such a disastrous spell in England did seem a little far-fetched!
Luque will go down as the most expensive foreign flop in Newcastle's history and this a club which has regularly blundered in that department. Personally I don't feel he has ever been given the run of games he deserved and which might have given a true indication of his ability.
The guy was a Spanish international when he arrived after all. You don't tend to play for Spain if you're a donkey, or a turnip for that matter.
Why is it that Spanish players like Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia settle at a club like Liverpool and Luque fails?
It happens, I suppose, but when Alberto gets on the plane after Christmas I wouldn't blame him if he stuck two fingers up in the general direction - well you can't actually see it from the tarmac at Newcastle Airport - of St James's Park.
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