When a takeover is rooted in Saudi ownership then there is inevitably a major PR problem to be confronted and addressed. A tirade of accusations and abuse is inevitable, some wrapped up in the jealousy of rival clubs and others in genuine moral concern, both of which Newcastle United have had to face having eventually surmounted the Becher's Brook obstacle that was the Premier League.
So as we approach the first anniversary next month of the takeover of a club about to celebrate its 130th birthday how have those in charge coped with everything thrown their way? Perhaps the long delay provided by Premier League dithering, while exasperating fans desperately wanting to see the back of Mike Ashley, was actually a blessing in disguise.
Because while the consortium of three parties equally committed was never going to go away it gave them time to take a hard look at their immediate plans aimed at making an impact upon the watching world. They could seek carefully selected advice, put out feelers to concerned parties, and eliminate the obvious mistakes Ashley made in abundance.
READ MORE: Staveley's response to what PIF will judge a success for Newcastle this season
With such homework carefully carried out the new owners have got much right and little wrong so far. A year is a blink of an eye in terms of history yet during this short time they have appointed a new manager Eddie Howe, new coaching staff, director of sport Dan Ashworth, chief executive Darren Eales, and brought in a bundle of new players.
Equally they have got rid of Mike Ashley, Steve Bruce, Lee Charnley, Sports Direct signs all round the ground, and rampant anger and fear within supporters.
They have also done relatively small but not insignificant things like restore club legend Alan Shearer's statue to where in belongs on home ground, supported and encouraged Wor Flags to turn SJP into a theatre to behold on match days, and forged links with fan groups, media and businesses alike.
Above all, of course, they have banished the word 'relegation' and replaced it with 'hope.'
The takeover comprised of Saudi's Public Investment Fund who pledged 80 per cent topped up with 10 per cent each from PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media. The Saudis needed a bridge between their distant wealth and the Newcastle people and in Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben - two board members born and brought up in this country - they have been able to lean upon the advice and guidance of people who can easily understand Geordie passion and patriotism.
Where PR in the hands of Ashley was arrogantly ignored amid a blanket of indifference to public opinion Amanda, Jamie and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have followed a much more open approach often through social media with mass enthusiasm on display come PL matches.
First things first of course United required a top manager and a lorry load of new players. Howe has succeeded beyond all expectations - a thinking leader who puts great credence on detail and man management. A workaholic thirsting for an opportunity like this one.
Maybe he needs a second victory as quickly as possible this season when far too many draws have doused rampant optimism but with him aboard United have done excellently in two transfer windows. How they managed to persuade Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes - two genuine world class stars - to buy into their plan before it had even been launched is a minor miracle.
Clever, too, to bring a Geordie giant Dan Burn into a club he loved with a kid's obsession and cleverer still to convert the club's record signing Joelinton from a centre-forward without goals into a man mountain of a midfield dynamo. Even Chris Wood, the least successful of United's imports, did the job required early on to lead a line shorn of Callum Wilson and help banish thoughts of relegation to the trash can.
The next transfer window brought a second chance to flex their muscle and so in came an England goalkeeper Nick Pope, £35m central defender Sven Botman, and a £60m striker Alexander Isak to confirm that another significant step was being taken towards the summit.
The new owners of the keys steadfastly refused to pay over the odds in the transfer market (with the possible exception of Wood's buy-out clause) or go for huge name marquee signings who were looking for a pension as Manchester City did to their cost when initially taken over. A lot of national pundits scoffed 'the richest club in the world' for what was perceived as their Scrooge approach but what it did was establish that United will not be take for mugs in every future transfer window.
United's decision makers were clever, too, in their wider approach. They were measured rather than knee-jerk in their search for key behind-the-scenes appointments taking their time with both Ashworth and Eales preferring to wait for their availability rather than appoint lesser mortals quicker from elsewhere.
Mind you, amid this mass love-in comes the natural warning that football ominously carries. Things can go wrong as quickly as they went right. Look at Manchester United post Fergie, at Cristiano Ronaldo whose star has tumbled from the sky, at Liverpool this season, and above all Leicester City.
Never can you relax and think the job is done. Never get out the big cigar and showboat which is why United must not allow one victory in seven to stretch to double figures and heighten tension. They have Fulham (a), Brentford (h) and Manchester United (a) to prevent that
However after a decade and a half of Ashley Agony the Geordies are smiling again and walking on the sunny side of the street. That alone is magnificent and what lies ahead could hopefully be confirmation of our optimism.
It is always better to wake up a sleeping giant than prod a fat cat with a stick as it has a snooze. No one in their right mind would want to follow Alex Ferguson at Man U. Or Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. But Newcastle United.... no trophy in 53 years, no domestic cup in 68 years, but with 50,000 passionately loyal fans waiting defiantly for the sighting of a miracle. Now that is a juicy challenge which can be won.
READ NEXT
- Eddie Howe hint on possible Newcastle United system that will see £83m double act play together
- Newcastle United's season to be shaped over crucial 42 days as Eddie Howe faces key period
- Newcastle United star Sven Botman told why he was benched for a third time in seven games
- Newcastle United double injury boost for Fulham game as Eddie Howe gets good news
- Kieran Trippier makes demand of Newcastle team-mates amid Alexander Isak admission
