Jamaal Lascelles has spoken of his pride at captaining Newcastle United for the seventh season in a row at St James' Park. The former Nottingham Forest centre-half took over the job from Fabricio Coloccini back in the summer of 2016 after passing a pre-season audition in Dublin under Rafa Benitez.
Back then the former Liverpool boss assigned Lascelles numerous leadership tasks that summer as he felt his vocal presence and honesty suited him to the job, even as a 22-year-old.
Lascelles had previously caught Benitez's attention during a 3-1 defeat at Southampton when he made his feelings clear to senior players after a capitulation on the South Coast. But once some bigger earners had left the scene, the foundations for Newcastle's return to the Premier League a year later were built and Lascelles played a big part in it.
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In years to come, when people talk about the pre-takeover era at St James' Park, the contributions of Lascelles as skipper will be referenced in the club's history books. Although, the prospect of changing captain has never been discussed behind the scenes at United this summer - and Eddie Howe made it clear that Lascelles will be the one leading the team.
When asked about any talk of changing captains, Lascelles told Chronicle Live: "It's the first I've heard about it. We just want to start with three points.
"The city is buzzing at the minute and obviously we have really ambitious owners. We have a great spirit within the group and the fans are always behind us. It's just down to us as players now to cross the white line and get the job done and start off with three points."
When the takeover went through Lascelles spoke of the dream of being the first captain to finally lift a trophy at the club. The Magpies get two opportunities to do that in the domestic cups this season.
But Lascelles feels he goes into the new campaign as one of the elder statesmen. "I'm 28 now and was 22 when I was appointed captain. If anything it was more difficult then.
"There was a lot more to do now, the manager here has done well to create a leadership group and put experienced lads around me to help out, there is more of a collective now.
"In recent years I have had to take on a lot outside of being on the pitch. Even with just messaging and the fines but we have a great set-up, the staff are fantastic, and everything is professional and organised. We have a great bunch of lads in the dressing room with a lot of good strong characters in there as well."
Newcastle face up to a club that Lascelles knows only too well after rising through the ranks as a kid with Nottingham Forest. Back then his development was so impressive he courted interest from the likes of Arsenal.
But it was United who eventually came knocking in summer 2014 when Newcastle signed Lascelles and close pal Karl Darlow on the same day. The decision to loan them straight back to Forest followed but from pre-season 2015 onwards, Lascelles has been a mainstay at St James' Park.
Down the corridors at the City Ground, there are a number of framed shirts of names from the past and graduates of the Forest Academy. Lascelles' name hangs proudly at the famous old stadium and the centre-back admits he would not be where he is now without Nottingham Forest.
He said: "Nottingham Forest is a huge club, and there's a lot of history and obviously I am in the position I'm in because of them. Ultimately, without them, I'd not be here. I came up through the ranks. It's a special place and a special team but now I am focused on just playing the game and beating them."
Steve Cooper's side will arrive on Tyneside still buzzing after winning promotion to the top-flight for the first time since the 1998/99 season. Forest have signed 11 players including Jesse Lingard who could make his debut against the club that expressed January interest in him.
Looking ahead to the big game, Lascelles said: "Teams that get promoted, it can always go two ways. Hopefully, we can get up and running and I am glad we are at home because that will make a big difference.
"We're all thinking the same way and looking to get off to a good start. We want to see how far we can go and see how well we can do."
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