Jamaal Lascelles is the youngest captain in the Premier League and speaks with a maturity belying his 23 years. He is playing like a leader, too.
Two weekends in a row, two winning goals. Newcastle - the youngest squad in the top flight - are up to fourth and those fractious days of summer feel like a distant memory.
Rafael Benitez has called a ceasefire in his war with owner Mike Ashley and all is well among his black-and-white battalion.
The starting XI's average age against Stoke was under 25, not that Lascelles believes such inexperience is a weakness.