Due to Sam’s fondness for squad rotation – I recently read his column in ZOO proclaiming that he sees it as the future of football – I wouldn’t expect us to line up with the same players and the same formation as we did against the Gunners, which is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, I would be tempted to field exactly the same set-up again in order to try and keep the momentum going, but on the other hand, some of those nine outfield players who completed the entire game two days ago might be feeling a bit worse for wear after the effort they put in.

It’s another interesting call for our gaffer and one that will only be vindicated if we get the 3 points, I personally wouldn’t like to have to make the decision. Potential changes could see Enrique coming in for one of Geremi, Butt or Barton in order to push N’Zogbia further up the flank, Viduka replacing Martins or Emre being given a chance, depending on how our midfielders are doing. The former and latter suggestions would be most favourable in my eyes.

Whatever team Sam chooses and whatever formation we play, a couple of things absolutely have to remain from Wednesday night: we need maximum effort from everyone wearing the shirt – whether on the pitch or in the stands - a similar sort of atmosphere wouldn’t go amiss. As I said yesterday, the Arsenal performance won’t stand for anything unless we beat Birmingham. I watched the Brummies at Tottenham last Sunday – they were fairly awful, particularly Schmitz at left-back (who I pray is playing tomorrow) – but still managed to get a fantastic result at a difficult ground to go to, much like we did last season. A win tomorrow won’t be easy, but it surely has to be expected.

I’ll take a clean sheet as well, thanks.

However, as I said in my post match piece the other day, the real test starts now. We have Birmingham, Fulham and Derby to come before Christmas and then Wigan on Boxing Day. And these are exactly the sort of games that we should be taking points from. If we don’t perform in these games then we are going to have problems and we’ll need to act. So it’s an important three weeks coming up.Lets hope then that Wednesday night was the catalyst and the beginning of a revival rather than a flash in the pan. The positives were there for us to build on, so hopefully the lads will step up to the mark once again, against a Birmingham side who themselves are rejuvenated following their victory last week over Spurs and the appointment of Alex McLeish as their new manager.

We all have a part to play as well. Lets make sure that our support on Wednesday wasn’t just a one off. We CAN play a part, we have done on many occassions down the years. The players were up for the game on Wednesday, but our support gave them added strength and encouragement. So here’s hoping that we play our part and take responsibility for maintaining the great support we gave them against Arsenal. Once again we have to show our love and support for the NUFC cause loud and proud. And there’s also the small matter of avenging that abysmal 5-1 thrashing to Birmingham in the Cup last year.

I don’t know which Newcastle will come out of the St James’ Park tunnel tomorrow afternoon, but I’m going to be positive and plump for the one that picks up from where we left off on Wednesday.

Well if Arsenal was important, this game is vital. No less than three points will probably be enough for the passionate Geordie crowd. A good performance, and the sky’s the limit as far as I’m concerned; this really could be lift off if Allardyce gets into gear.The fans have been simply brilliant this past week or so; they really have made the difference. Thankfully we’ve moved on from the days of booing and unrest; everyone is ready to just get behind the team and cheer them on to success.

Maybe Big Sam is going to get it right? Who knows. I certainly haven’t given him enough credit or patience and I could soon be proven wrong. The team ARE fighting for Allardyce, they ARE fighting for the shirt, they ARE fighting for the fans. A few weeks ago this wasn’t the case, but how times can change.

Onto Birmingham, and I think that this fixture could prove troublesome should we not approach it in the right way. We need 100% commitment from every single player on the pitch, they may not be Arsenal but they deserve respect and if we don’t give it to them, we could see a repeat of the FA Cup tie at St James last year.

If we approach the game in the same way we did Arsenal, we’ll win easily. I think we could possibly see a repeat of Wednesday’s lineup, although I would be tempted to change it around a bit, and bring in possibly Emre, Viduka or Enrique. If we could push N’Zogbia into midfield, that would be great.