Why Is St James' Park No Longer A Frightening Place?
The Toon Ultras' campaign to "Bring Back the Noise to St James" is a positive step, as I'm sure we all agree. But I'm still amazed at why our own players seem more intimidated by the atmosphere at Gallowgate rather than the visiting players.
The days during the Keegan era when we saw the likes of Tottenham, Boro, Everton, Arsenal and even Man Utd freeze, seem to be gone. And there were times under Glenn Roeder last season when WE looked to be the away team, as we started games so slowly without any conviction.
But one player, Peter Ramage, admitted that the players can help themselves by coming out of the blocks early to pump up the volume at St James' Park. 
Ramage: "It will be great to hear the fans' Bring Back the Noise campaign. The club sold out at Bolton and the fans were brilliant all the way through.
"We want to make St James' a hard place to come for teams - and the fans can do that.
"When I was growing up and coming to the games, the top teams hated playing here. It was really intimidating back then for the crowd were the 12th man.
"We have the responsibility of getting the fans going again, and a good performance will do that. After that, the crowd bring out the confidence in the players.
"Alan Shearer's testimonial was a brilliant atmosphere, and is right up there.
But for me, the derby against Sunderland in 2005 was my first game of that season and was something special.
"The whole place was buzzing during the game.
"After the match I went for something to eat with my family, and the city was just jumping. It was one of the best games.
"There was also Alan Shearer's game against Portsmouth when he broke Jackie Milburn's record - it was special day.
"There are so many to choose from. Our fans are brilliant, they get behind you and that's important."