So then Joey Barton has his recovering magic foot on the first rung of the ladder after getting through a 45 minute run out against Man City and the good news is he got through it unscathed.
Still playing with a screw in his foot Barton covered almost every blade of grass at Sport City and suggested he's got what it takes to give the Toon's season a shot in the arm.
Spurred on by his dad in the crowd at Sport City, Barton endured the boos from few pockets of the 500 that turned up but looked composed as found his feet again after shattering his foot at Brunton Park back in July.
But while City fans make out that they are glad to see the back of him, the good news for Newcastle United's loyal supporters is that they have a player capable of tearing open opposing defences and delivering that all important bite to the Toon midfield - which has been clearly lacking since day one of the season.
Barton's next test will be Wigan at Kingston Park next Monday when the North East media circus will turn up in their droves to witness the latest step of his comeback.
Next week Barton will be delighted to get through 75 minutes of action which will push him closer to making a first team return, possibly against Spurs in the next home Premiership game,
That may or may not happen but the approach from Barton is to make sure that when he's back in a black and white shirt, it will be back for the rest of a crucial campaign for the Magpies.
Not to be forgotten last night is the contribution of Emre who scored a fantastic free-kick and showed plenty of good touches to show just why he's nicknamed the Maradona of the Bosphorus.
Afterwards the player spoke of his desire to fight for his place and the mind can only boggle when you imagine Emre and Barton together.
This 4-3-3 system isn't too bad at home and can work well as proved against West Ham in the last home game and you can even argue that it worked against Wigan given the amount of chances created before Michael Owen's winner.
But away from home and even though United have dependable figures like Nicky Butt and Geremi protecting the back four, it appears to leave us open out wide and four of the last five conceded have came from wing play.
Getting back to last night and the other first teamers in Abdoulaye Faye and Jose 'The Bull' Enrique were also in fine form.
The Bull set up the equaliser for teenager Mark Doninger while Faye did well at centre-back.
Enrique seems to getting used to the lingo too with a young and mouthy Man City - all dressed in hoodies after the game - side testing his patience in a well contested reserve clash.
But at at time when United are desperate need of midfield magic both Barton and Emre look capable of providing it.
ARE WE PUTTING TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON BARTON TO SAVE OUR SEASON?
LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR JOEY BELOW
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