Newcastle must first foot into a new season with all the subtlety of an air raid. There can be no pussy footing. Expectations are high and the need to get off to an explosive start against Premier League newcomers is paramount because what quickly follows includes Manchester City and Liverpool, English football's elite.
Forest must be cut down and we know what that requires. United produced it in abundance last time they were in league combat before the faithful. A 2-0 demolition of Arsenal, which effectively killed the Gunners' Champions League hopes, was their best display of passion and power last season by a country mile.
Much will depend on United's offensive threat. Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin must hit the ground at full pelt because they are both susceptible - Wilson to the ever lurking threat of injury, the Saint through mood and mystery.
TAKE PART: Ambition, trust, atmosphere - 'The Big Newcastle United Forum'
Yet at the top of their game they are players who can make a significant difference in an area where Newcastle are at their most vulnerable.
We have the consistency of the likes of Bruno, Kieran Trippier, and big Joelinton; the new promise of Sven Botman and Nick Pope; but it is what Wilson and ASM can bring to the party which adds the required splash of victory.
Callum's concerns are obvious - he has missed 32 games in the last two seasons due to injuries which is a nightmare. Saint-Maximin is an enigma. He is a mixture of frustration and fantasy, joy and despair, tricks and torment. At best he is all swaying mesmeric step-overs and ability to lift bums from seats which is what we pray for in the name of Geordie United.
Let Callum and Maxi be the headline writers on opening day and not Jesse Lingard who could easily have ended up on Geordie turf but instead for some reason eventually chose to put down roots in Nottingham. May he learn that was a mistake.
What we would also like to see as back up to United's Dynamic Duo is for Miggy Almiron to transfer pre-season form and finishing into the arena where it really matters. Formula One drivers are not remembered for gaining pole but for winning races.
An established player cannot reap the same kudos from friendlies as a youngster trying to forge his breakthrough like say Elliot Anderson. However the ever smiling Miggy would be a popular convert to the Eddie Howe stardust brigade should he become suddenly transformed.
Mentioning Anderson, the new five sub rule this season could benefit Elliot and to a lesser extent young Matthew Bondswell who both duck under the 25-man squad rule.
Forest have been like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Relentless. Steve Cooper has wheeled 'em out and wheeled 'em in. Blimey, players may have to introduce themselves to one another before they kick off Forest's first top flight campaign in 23 years the turnover has been so rapid.
Is it a signal of intent or just so much confetti in the wind? A lack of familiarity can work against a team of course and that is what every Geordie is hoping. While Lingard and Dean Henderson are well qualified at the top level the bulk of Cooper's imports are untried and unknown. Maybe a couple will be an outstanding success as he hopes but some will fall badly by the wayside.
There has been a full team of them shipped in but somewhere amongst the debris is the Ginger Geordie Jack Colback who will be coming home desperate to get on the field.
Are United as good as we think they are, or at least hope they are? I have to admit that so far I am not totally satisfied with what has been achieved in this transfer window.
United have brought in a goalkeeper, central defender, and a left-back but have been unable to address the offensive side of their game. We are lightweight going forward and while time remains on our side the season is about to get under way which must concentrate minds. If things remain as they are then we will have to rein in expectation.
Both sets of fans from Newcastle and Nottingham are about to discover exactly where their club currently stands in the pecking order of life.
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Why not come and give me a shout before the Big Kick Off gets under way? I am appearing with former United star defender and current BBC Radio Newcastle match analyst John Anderson at the Black And White Bull pub overlooking SJP from 12:30pm on Saturday chatting about the game. Entry is free.
I'm doing a series of pre-match gigs with various old United stars over the next few weeks so I hope you will make it a regular date.
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