After Alan Pardew said on the USA tour: "I have three fabulous goalkeepers and I still don't know who will be number one and who will sit on the bench" ... we have seen an amazing turn of events.
Fraser Forster (who Pardew insisted would NOT go back to Celtic on loan) ... errrr ... went back to Celtic on loan.
Steve Harper was given the No 1 shirt, but Tim Krul became the TRUE No 1 by being picked for the games.
We hear Pardew talk of Harper's "knee problem" but we hear (from our insider at St James' Park) that it is not an issue, and the player is available.
Then came the arrival of Rob Elliot from Charlton, who we hear will be handed a bench role at Queens Park Rangers next Monday night.
This puts Harper in an incredible position because he turned down an offer from West Brom back in June, and now finds himself a million miles from another game in the Premiership.
Third in line - at the age of 36 - some wonder why his world has been turned upside down.
The famous "Hughton Clique" transformed Newcastle Utd's promotion season, but Mike Ashley has had his way and the entire bunch (apart from Harper and Alan Smith) have been sent to pastures new.
Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan - plus Harper and Smith - were Hughton's "rock" who were never too afraid to speak out against those in high places.
Ashley wanted them out - and it seems as though Harper and Smith will be following them in January.
Was 'The Puppetmaster' (Ashley) pulling the strings with Harper's predicament? Or was it a Pardew-Harper fall out?
Who knows?
Harper expressed his disappointment at the exit of former captain Kevin Nolan yesterday on BBC Five Live, suggesting things are not all a bed of roses with the Easington-born keeper: “I’m disappointed to see Kevin go.
“You can’t put into the words the impact he put in around the club and in the dressing room.
“Players want stability at 29. He wanted a four-year deal.
“He will take the bull by the horns at West Ham and help drag them back to the Premier League.”