When I was ten years old, EVERY Newcastle player was a genuis and Newcastle United were going to win the league (Division One as it was then) every season.
It never happened of course, and as I grew older I realised Keith Kettleborough, Dave Hilley and Graham Winstanley were perhaps not as good as I first thought.
But kids these days are more "switched on", and even a ten year old knows that Santon's defensive frailties
The Italian is set to continue as a makeshift defensive midfielder against Tottenham Hotspur, just as he did against Chelsea.
I'm not saying he was a world-beater in that position, but it gives Newcastle less chance of being caught by the lofted ball over his head and no cover (when he plays left-back).
That has long been Newcastle's Achilles Heel, and many fans are amazed how Pardew has failed to address it.
The 23-year-old was pressed into midfield in the absence of Cheik Tiote through injury.
While Newcastle lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge - the exceptional Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick - Pardew felt left-back Santon acquitted himself well in an unfamiliar position.
Alan Pardew: “I’ve got to be honest, I thought Davide Santon was terrific in there.
“He’s contribution in midfield couldn’t have been better.
“I put him in there, but it was a tough game. They’re a good side with their intensity with their quality as well. Combine that together, and it makes it very, very difficult.
“Sammy, Paul Dummett and Davide Santon were excellent, I thought.
“These are the players we’re going to call upon on Wednesday. They’re important to us.”