Sunday will see the Premier League finished, with potential for Geordie tears heavily on the agenda. While the more circumspect supporters of Newcastle United are steadying themselves for the worst yet also considering that relegation might just be for the best, much of the nation readies itself for comedic images of Toony tears.

Rent-a-gob Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher perhaps best summed up the feelings of a sizeable group when he said: "I hope Newcastle go down. There's no better sight than seeing fat, topless Geordies crying."

Harsh but fair? It’s certainly unfair on a number of the club's fans; those who do not expose themselves in such an uncouth fashion and actually show signs of having a grip on reality. A minority of the club's current players can also escape with pride hurt but intact.

Apologies for a lack of blogging in recent weeks. I've been seconded on a project, of which you will maybe hear more soon.

During my absence, another area has been looking neglected, forlorn and lost. That's football on England's north-east coast. I spent the weekend watching the fortunes of Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Hull City. The best that I can say of any of them is that Hull gave it a go. It was not nearly enough because they are severely lacking in quality. A nervy Aston Villa may have suffered some heart tremors towards the end but Hull would not have scored in a month of Sundays.

Further up the coast from East Yorkshire, a spineless performance from Sunderland followed a spineless performance from Newcastle followed a spineless performance from Middlesbrough. Everton were able to allay any fears following Phil Jagielka's injury by strolling to a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light past a team barely capable of making a tackle. Sunderland were clueless.