Newcastle United have only won once on the opening fixture of the Premiership since 1997, and they want to make sure they still have the same manager in September.
The record is frightening, and obviously one of the reasons so many Toon managers have been sacked in that month - Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson know all about it.
Lomana Lua Lua hit a brace, and Alan Shearer and Nobby Solano one each in a 4-0 win over West Ham on the opening day of 2002-03, but that is the only victory in almost ten years.
1998 Charlton (H) 0-0
1999 Aston Villa (H) 0-1
2000 Man Utd (A) 0-2
2001 Chelsea (A) 1-1
2002 West Ham (H) 4-0
2003 Leeds Utd (A) 2-2
2004 Middlesbrough (A) 2-2
2005 Arsenal (A) 0-2
Scott Parker replaces Alan Shearer as skipper, and hopes United get off the mark with an impressive win to start the campaign in a blaze of glory and give his manager something to build on.
Parker: "We had a job to do in Latvia, and we did what we had to do. We were probably expected to win the game, but it wasn't easy for us. We got the clean sheet, and an away goal, and a similar result in the home leg means we're through.
"We're full of confidence for that one, but the next game is Wigan on the opening day and we have to be ready for that. It's been a difficult pre-season for us.
"We had competitive games early on, and then we had some friendlies against top-class opposition which will stand us in good stead for the start of the season. We're getting there in terms of fitness, and while it may take a few games for us to get right up to where we want to be, we're on the way.
"These things take time - they always do - but we'd love to get off to a good start by beating Wigan next week and we're all looking forward to the game now."