SOMETIMES, it does not matter how many times you are told something, words are not enough. No matter how much you want to believe people have changed, you want proof, not promises.
Newcastle United’s players have spent most of the season trying to reassure us previous mistakes would not be repeated. They insisted they were different, stronger, tougher, Newcastle United in every sense.
But when you have been hurt by those you love, the scars are deep. As hard as you try to forgive and forget, it is extremely difficult to move on.
Blind faith is no longer enough to see you through because your eyes are wide open to the suffering once caused.
Two years ago, Newcastle went into a series of games under pressure and were found wanting.
Strong on paper, weak on the pitch, they tumbled through the Premier League trapdoor still muttering something about being too good to go down.
After back-to-back defeats at home to Everton and away to Stoke, after a run of just one win in 10 games, awful memories had been stirred on Tyneside.
Newcastle were on the slide, bad habits had crept back into their play and relegation looked a distinct possibility once again.
Only this time, when the pressure was on and starting to squeeze, when the tension began to mount and nerves began to fray, Newcastle found the strength of character to deliver an emphatic response to those relegation concerns.
There was no excuses given or sought, there were no hard luck stories or what might have beens. They told us they were too good to go down and Saturday’s performance against Wolves was their most compelling argument to date they are right.
With seven games left to play, the Magpies are seven points clear of the drop zone. Not quite safe just yet, but close enough to smell it.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been mounting a late survival charge under former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy.
Hard-working, physical and direct, they came to the North East to do more than ruffle feathers, but they went home with their wings clipped and confidence destroyed.
They were not just beaten by Newcastle, they were torn to pieces and they will do well to recover from this result in time to save themselves from a Championship return.
