I don't know which has come as more of a relief for Newcastle United, the hard-fought, slightly fortutious victory over Aston Villa or the arrival of February and the close of the January transfer window!
First off, I've got to come clean, I wasn't at St James's Park on Wednesday night, I was at my parents house enjoying some well-earned rest and recuperation, fine dining and fine wine.
As a result I was forced to endure the mindless drivel spouted by pundits on Sky Sports News to keep me up-to-date with what was happening against Villa followed by a surprisingly anti-Newcastle report on Match of the Day.
It seems strange to hear Alan Shearer suggesting that Villa were unlucky and should have got a draw when, as a Newcastle player, he would have choked on the words after a similar sort of game.
Perhaps the BBC have brainwashed him or replaced the real Alan Shearer with a robot - the same one they use for Mark Lawrenson but with a different head and shirt and tie combination!
Mind you, at least Shearer and company have some sort of kudos and, generally speaking, know what they are talking about because it amazes me how the guests on Sky Sports News get to be called experts.
I'm sick and tired of saying it, but, just because they used to play football, it doesn't automatically make them a good football pundit.
Apart from the fact these former pros are invading the media industry with their sharp suits and dreary football banter, I resent their presence mainly because being a pundit surely requires you to be able to offer an insight into the game and it also requires the ability to string a meaningful sentence together! Two qualities all too often lacking from those who jump aboard the Sky Sports gravy train.
Anyway, after a bright start, I was told Newcastle faded and were hanging on to their lead for a long spell after Ashley "overpriced" Young pulled one back following a poor clearance by Paul Huntington.
I was also told, in between manic laughter, confused looks and barely audible descriptions of match action, that Steve Harper had to make some excellent saves after James Milner and Kieron Dyer had given the Magpies the lead, before Antoine Sibierski killed the game off in injury time.
Oh well, three points and into the top half of the table for the first time since September. Can't be bad.
Better than that, though, there will be no more frantic transfer speculation, leaked interest in top players and then the inevitable deflation when nothing happens - at least not until the summer anyway!
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