Some folk like to laugh at Jason Tindall, with his Wham! hoodie, sunshine smile and Club Tropicana tan. The truth is, the joke is on them.
The most revealing aspect of the FA's report into the Boxing Day tunnel fracas between Newcastle and Aston Villa was when it concluded that Tindall, accused of 'aggressive and confrontational' behaviour by Villa, had instead acted 'in a remarkably calm and controlled manner'.
And therein lies the secret to his success, as assistant/confidant/guard dog of Eddie Howe - who was admitted to hospital on Friday night after feeling unwell earlier in week following Monday's 3-0 win at Leicester.