Eddie Howe is anticipating a "difficult" opening day test against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park - but admits that Newcastle United's determination to have a better start to the season than last year is driving everybody on.
There were just 20 shopping days before Christmas when Newcastle finally beat Burnley last winter as they triumphed at the 15th attempt of asking in the Premier League. Howe is praying it will be different this time around.
Forest will rock up on Gallowgate having spent 23 years playing outside the top division and recovering from a dip into third flight football. Howe admits that the meeting with Steve Cooper's Wembley play-off winners Forest reminds him of his early Premier League years with AFC Bournemouth back in 2015.