It isn't a particularly unsubstantiated claim to suggest that Jacob Ramsey should be starting against Liverpool on the opening game of the Premier League season, but if there was still any speculation around who would occupy at least one of those spots in the double pivot, Ramsey sufficiently quelled them today.
Typically, as I typed that opening paragraph, Ramsey decided it was a good time to give the ball away on the edge of his own box leading to the Strasbourg equaliser, cheers mate... but that doesn't outweigh the reasoning stacked in his favour so we'll plough on anyway, I suppose.
Ramsey, whilst not setting the world on fire with blistering performances, has been very steady in his preseason showings thus far. Today against French opposition can likely be considered the best of those, barring the mistake which I can only put down to me writing this piece, and the midfielder showcased some attributes which I expect could be crucial to the success of Jaissle's side in the early going.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at the reasons why the man signed for £40m last summer should be in line for a starting role this season.
That little bit of experience
We'll get perhaps the most boring of the listed reasons out of the way first.
Whilst Ramsey doesn't exactly possess a wealth of experience, he is still only 25 after all, the former Villa man does have a much more storied career to look upon in comparison to those he will be up against for a srtarting spot against Liverpool.
Joelinton will be injured for that opening game, Sean Steur and Lewis Miley are both teenagers, and Aladji Bamba is only 20 years old and appears rather raw in his talent at present.
That leaves Ramsey as almost the only option to provide a bit of calm and, in theory, understanding of how to manage a game when things get difficult (even if his mistake would suggest otherwise...)
In turn, it would seem silly for Matthias Jaissle not to call upon the midfielder for what is widely expected to be an uphill battle against Liverpool against St James' Park (and not only because of the slope.)
Ball progression & build up
One thing that has been abundantly evident during this preseason is Ramsey's willingness and desire to look forward every time he receives the ball.
We have already seen his ability to retain possession under pressure and keep sustained periods of attack alive with intelligent play, that was apparent last season. But the thing he already seems to have adapted to suit the possibly more forward thinking intent that comes with a Jaissle side is that intent to progress the ball.
Especially in today's game, that was apparent in both his ball playing ability, with numerous perfectly weighted balls played into onrushing teammates, and his ball carrying, which saw him drive into pockets of space on many occasions to kickstart front footed attacks.
I'm sorry, little interlude here because I simple can't believe what I'm seeing. Ramsey has now missed a penalty in the shootout... I think I might have jinxed him forever by writing this article...
Anyway, the point is, no matter whether Ramsey is trying his best to sabotage this piece of content or not, the constant on ball authority taken to ensure the ball is progressed wherever possible, which is a hallmark of Jaissle's vertical tactics, have surely made him a standout candidate to be in the starting XI on August 23rd.
A much needed creative spark
The jury is still out as to whether Ramsey is best suited to playing in the deepest of the midfield positions, as he can sometimes dwindle too long on the ball as was seen today.
But the one thing which he seems to have that isn't obviously present in any of the other midfield options is the innate ability to create chances from deep, whether it be in one pinpoint ball or getting into those forward areas himself.
Under Eddie Howe Newcastle struggled for creativity for years, barring Bruno Guimaraes, and it has been a well known sentiment among the fanbase that a creative force should be targeted in the market.
And whilst I and many others still agree that is the case, it feels we may be yet to see the best of Jacob Ramsey creatively, possibly given a little more freedom to roam into those forward areas under Jaissle this season, or even deployed in the 10 later down the line.
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