A hat and scarf seller is doing a roaring trade at the top of the Bigg Market on the walk up to St James' Park and there is a real buzz in the air around the city.
Only it's not a match day, it's just a Tuesday afternoon in Newcastle city centre. OK, we are just a week away from the build-up to Wembley and all the trimmings that come with the Carabao Cup final but the truth is, it's been like this since Mike Ashley handed the keys over to Amanda Staveley some 18 months ago now.
In a week in which Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle to an incredible reception where his vow that fans would "get their club back one day" was repeated, there's even a possibility that Eddie Howe could have eclipsed King Kev before the month is out. Even the mere thought such rich history being written was unthinkable not so long ago.
