Don't underestimate the hard work that Newcastle United put into their win against Brentford at the weekend. People will look from afar and think 'Struggling team, 10 men' but believe me it's never as easy as that in football and while it's true that Brentford have been pulled in a little bit of late they are still a Premier League club who play a high tempo and high pressing game.
Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa lost there and Liverpool could only draw. But Newcastle have gone there and showed their renewed confidence and they have new quality to bring to the table.
For me it is no coincidence that Joelinton got on the scoresheet because he's probably the one individual who has epitomised the change in the team and in the club. The change and impact Eddie Howe and his team have had on Joelinton has been amazing.
His turnaround in form has run alongside the transformation in fortunes for the team really. To be fair to him even in the early part of Eddie's tenure when he was still trying to put his ideas across and get the players he wanted in the right positions you could see the improvement in Joelinton.
Now that the team and squad has a lot more quality, he's looking even better and for me, it sums up this turnaround. It tells you what Eddie has done with the team and it is a terrific result at Brentford capped with Joelinton's goal.
Read more - the feat Eddie Howe can achieve quicker than Steve Bruce
The mood has changed - for the better
I was watching Burnley vs Leicester the other night and only a few weeks ago if I'd been watching that game I would have been panicking if Burnley got a result because I know they are close to us. But I watched on with confidence knowing that regardless of the score or who won it, it didn't matter because I think Newcastle can get out of trouble.
I think Newcastle are on such a good run of form and are playing so well that their confidence levels must be sky high. Without taking anything for granted they have to be looking at the team's above them.
I was interested to hear what Ryan Fraser said about being the hunter or being hunted on Match of the Day. That is perfect really and a great analogy of where the team are at this moment in time.
The question in the dressing room now will be: "Can we now catch Aston Villa? Can we now catch Crystal Palace?" That's great for the players.
We have spoken in the last few columns here on Chronicle Live about how good five games unbeaten was, then six and now this week we are talking about seven unbeaten. When it gets like this individuals gain confidence and play at the top of their game, we look a strong team and more importantly, a strong squad.
We have strength in depth now and that is showing in the results we are getting.
Kieran Trippier injury had us worried but he is supporting the team in a different way
He may have been on crutches and unable to take part on the field, but Kieran Trippier is still playing a vital part for the Magpies during his rehab.
I have to be honest we were probably all a bit worried when Trippier was ruled out for a number of weeks with a foot injury. But he has made sure he still has a presence around the place.
I saw from the pictures that he was on the bus and in the dressing room. Don't underestimate what he will be doing off the field in terms of leadership and keeping the lads together.
