As far as debuts go, making yours away at Manchester City has to be difficult.
By the time Tino Livramento came on for his first Newcastle appearance in the second-half of Saturday night’s loss at the Etihad Stadium, Eddie Howe’s side had been chasing shadows.
As a first task for the club following an initial £30m move from Southampton, that was certainly a difficult one for the 20-year-old.
Still, no one will judge Livramento for his outing at that stage of the game against the treble winners. There is excitement about his addition and he will be judged on the long-term.
Dan Burn is particularly excited.
What Dan Burn said about Tino Livramento following his Newcastle debut
Indeed, Burn believes Newcastle are in line for something exciting when it comes to Livramento.
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Speaking to the Shields Gazette after the game at City, Burn said: “He has been really good. I liked him at Southampton, I thought he was brilliant there.
“I’ve said it before but I think it takes time to come into a team and play regularly, not that I’m saying we’re the best team in the world, but there are things that you have got to do and to know your position well. But he’s got Tripps to learn off and there are lots of games to go this season so I’m sure we will see a lot more of him.”
The future is very bright for Newcastle
In just one window, Newcastle have strengthened on both sides of their defence.
Lewis Hall looks set to arrive as the fourth first-team option this summer even despite FFP constraints.
To have signed two full-backs under the age of 21 for less than £60m is very good business indeed.
Burn and Kieran Trippier on the other side cannot go on forever but Newcastle now have successors able to learn from them as well as fill in when necessary in the more immediate term.
Strength in depth can only be a good thing.