Despite the doom and gloom surrounding St James' Park this season sometimes it's worth taking stock of what Newcastle United do have when it comes to the playing department.
United legends Bob Moncur and John Anderson have already underlined United's big defensive assets in Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage.
The big ambition for both players would be to form a defensive partnership that will serve United for years to come and it's certainly one the majority of fans would approve of.
Taylor, after a shocking season of injury last term with shoulder trouble, has already been capped at England Under-21 level and has been widely tipped for senior honours.
Ramage on the other hand has steadily worked his way up through the reserves before grasping his first team chance with both hands.
Taylor is the younger of the pairing but it's clear that the duo are on the same wavelength.
And when Craig Moore eventually returns down under, these two are sure to be handed a long run of games to develop an understanding.
Looking back down the years the most successful teams have had two centre-backs who know each other like the back of their hands.
Liverpool had Hansen and Lawrenson, Arsenal had Adams and Bould, then Keown and Campbell while Man United had Bruce and Pallister.
Every side that wins something has a solid backline to start.
Some fans will say forget the future, what about now?
And it's a fair comment.
Titus Bramble has had plenty of chances and although the arrival of Nigel Pearson has marked an improvement in his defensive shifts, how many more chances should the Tractor Boy get?
Moore as we know is going back to the land of Oz, and the only question seems to be whether it will be this summer or next depending on a new contract.
And when the cash eventually does come Glenn Roeder's way, should he improve the defence further or go for that much needed goalscorer?
It's an answer that depends largely on the contribution of a certain pair of centre-backs.
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