How do you solve a problem like Isak?

SOLUTION TO ATTACKING QUANDARY CRUCIAL FOR MAGS

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HERE we go. Football's two most underprivileged clubs starting off again to try and smash the Elite Six having both flirted with Champions League inclusion.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa historically boast honours boards filled with long-ago successes who are aiming to return permanently to their glory days despite the financial restrictions which don't hold back their rivals. Who can be more optimistic?

United come off the back of a joyous season which brought them a domestic trophy, the Carabao Cup, and a seat at Europe's biggest banquet. However, glorious sunshine quickly became 24-hour darkness during a summer of unbelievable agony at a time when the straitjacket of financial fair play was supposed to be cast aside resulting in fulsome recruitment in football's transfer market.

It really beggars belief - how could such rampant optimism be replaced by black despair without a match being lost?

Easy - Alexander Isak rattling the exit door and player after player refusing an invite to join the Geordie celebration party.

Thankfully, Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale bought a ticket, to be eventually followed this week by Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey rapidly bringing up the rear. Suddenly black clouds have broken and blue can be spied between the showers.