Nicky Butt was one of the most cultured midfield players for England and Manchester United in his younger days, and some felt Sir Bobby Robson got himself a bargain when he signed him for £4m. But how wrong we were.
Butt was jeered during the defeat by PSV Eindhoven in a friendly at the weekend, and although paper talk suggest he is back for the long haul, he has not done one thing in two years to suggest he can make a success of himself away from Old Trafford.
However Toon manager Glenn Roeder, like Sir Bobby and Graeme Souness before him, insists the player can make a name for himself on Tyneside.
Roeder: "Nicky has played for one of the biggest clubs in the world at Manchester United and has a drawer full of top honours in terms of medals and caps for England.
"He's a strong character and our supporters are a forgiving crowd. He got a few boos when he came on but by the end they had died away. Nicky got in some good tackles and the crowd could see his commitment.
"He knows he'll have every chance with me. If players play well enough they get the shirt. If they play well they keep the shirt. All the lads know that."