And with tallies starting to rise around him, thanksto team-mates such as Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll, the former Bolton man believes the future is bright for the Magpies in the latter part of the campaign.
In the Italian capital, Rome, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated with a vespers service in St Peter's Basilica to give thanks for 2012 and look ahead to 2013.