Pessimism is woven into the DNA of football fans.
With Newcastle United supporters already fearing the worst just weeks away from what feels like a make-or-break final day clash with relegation rivals Fulham, Aleksandar Mitrovic could not have picked the worst time to rediscover his form.
The fiery frontman has scored just twice in 23 Premier League matches this season.
But he equalled that tally inside just seven minutes for his country, as Serbia came from behind to beat Ireland 3-2 in a topsy-turvy World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.
Mitrovic ended a five-month barren run with an exquisite chip over Ireland ‘keeper Mark Travers, before doubling his tally with a trademark bullet header, powering home following a fine Dusan Tadic assist.
And it didn’t go unnoticed by Newcastle fans that the man left sprawling during Mitrovic’s second – Ciaran Clark – is likely to come up against the £20 million target man again during that winner-takes-all clash at Craven Cottage on May 23.
What the Magpies faithful would do for a fit and firing Mitrovic these days.
Two-and-a-half years after Newcastle sold the Serb for £20 million – and then promptly brought in Joelinton for twice as much – many on Tyneside would take Mitrovic back at St James’ in a heartbeat.
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