This blogger's general disposition was, somewhat, improved by a trio of fine victories achieved by his beloved (and now, thankfully, sold) Magpies in the Premiership this week. Firstly a highly entertaining six-one thrashing of The Stottingtot Hotshots which included Th' Bonny Toon being five-nil up at St James' Park after but twenty minutes. All of which malarkey produced, shall we call it an 'emotional' reaction from several rather vocal Spurs vodcaters. Do not watch the latter, dear blog reader, if you are either a) easily offended by strong language or b) if you have a mouthful of a tasty beverage of your choice and you don't want to spit it all over your laptop. Swear down, blud.
Then four days later, on Thursday, there was an equally emphatic four-one win for the black and whites at Goodison Park. In which the relegation-haunted Toffees got munched somewhat. Needless to say, Blues TV was aptly named that particular evening.
On Sunday, United recorded their third win of the week, coming from behind to beat relegation-haunted Southampton three-one at Gallowgate. Callum Wilson scored twice to take his goal tally for the season to fifteen.
So why, you may be wondering, are The Magpies playing so well of late? This blogger certainly is (being a lifelong United fan and, therefore, used to severe disappointment on a regular basis). FourFourTwo's Adam Cleary offers a couple of rather compelling arguments for just why Steady Eddie Howe and his team are proving to be such a surprise package this season in two fine videos. Which you can check out here and here. Yeah. What he said.
Still on the subject of yer actual fitba, Jeff Stelling has announced he will leave Sky Sports' flagship Soccer Saturday next month. Again. Jeff has hosted the programme for more than twenty five years and, initially, said that he would step down at the end of last season, only to go on for another year. The sixty eight-year-old's final show will be on Sunday 28 May - the last day of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign. 'He will be sorely missed,' said Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes. 'Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere. His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.' Stelling, who revealed his decision to step aside live on-air during Saturday's programme, is leaving the Sky company as well as the show. 'It is groundhog day, it is that time of the year, every year, where I announce I am leaving Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday,' he said bvfore geting a round of applause from his Soccer Saturday colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd, Michael Dawson and Sue Smith.
And now, dear blog reader, a new semi-regular From The North feature, Things That Keith Telly Topping Had Forgotten But Then Remembered As Part Of A Bid To Stave Off The Onset Of Dementia. Number One: The name of Hot Shot Hamish's pet sheep was ... McMutton.
