Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has sent a series of text messages to his players in a big sign that he is on the mend.
Assistant manager Jason Tindall re-iterated that Howe must be given the time he needs to get back to "100%" before returning to work after the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace. However, the good news is that Howe, who has been stricken with pneumonia, watched the big win over the Eagles and immediately contacted his coach to congratulate him on the night.
However, Jacob Murphy has also revealed that Howe's excellent man management skills have been back in evidence despite his illness. Murphy, who netted a howitzer in the triumph over Oliver Glasner's side, said: "Everyone has shared texts with him and he's on the road to recovery.
"We're missing him but once again I think we put a performance in that he'd be really proud of. There's so many we need to thank for tonight as well that are continuing the great work the gaffer does with us."
One of the more unsung Entertainers watches on with admiration
If Kevin Keegan's Entertainers era truly got under way in the old days of second flight football, then one of the key signings in 1992 had to be that of £250,000 midfielder Paul Bracewell.
It was Bracewell's fantastic strike at the Leazes End in a 3-2 win over Southend United that sparked 11 wins out 11 in the title winning campaign of 1992/93. He would be part of the early Entertainers era that helped Newcastle up and stabilised in the Premier League before departing in 1995.
Last night Bracewell watched on from the Milburn Stand as a club guest but could only admire the modern Magpies.
A team of leaders on show
As Kieran Trippier went off, having replaced Bruno Guimaraes as on field captain, he turned to the next man in line to skipper the side for the final 11 minutes.
His first port of call was Harvey Barnes with Trippier slapping the armband on the goalscorer but it was then passed on to Schar and finally Burn. Of course, with tiredness kicking in the destination of the armband was a moot point but any one of the three could have easily done the job, including experienced winger Barnes.
Given Trippier and Bruno had already guided the team on the night, it showed the strength in depth Newcastle genuinely have these days.
Key moment just as Eberechi Eze stepped up to take spot-kick
It had taken referee Darren England and the VAR team more than five minutes to sort out whether they felt Nick Pope had clipped Chris Richards around the ears for a penalty.
But even once it was confirmed it felt like there was belief around St James' Park that Pope could make amends. Regardless of Pope's role just before Eze stepped up Kieran Trippier turned to the Leazes End and raised his arms up and down gesturing to increase the noise levels.
And the roar was almost as loud as a goal as Pope read Eze and saved his weak penalty. It was clear that even in the eye of a storm, Trippier recognised the importance of the crowd.
