Jermain Defoe admits that he may have been blessed with some sort
of psychic power when he scored for the England U21s in record time
against the Dutch!
Taking a fraction less than four seconds to score against Holland after coming on as a substitute for Darius Vassell, his cool finish after a John Terry header deflected his way made him the fastest scorer in international football.
To come on 'cold' and make such a quick impression was a remarkable achievement - one which Glenn Roeder hopes he will be able to repeat on a regular basis in a claret and blue shirt this season.
Jermain admits he doesn't know how he came to be in the right place at the right time - but thinks psychic power might be the key.
"I was saying that to the lads after the game because I don't know why I thought it would go where it did.
"It's wierd, but I just had a feeling the ball was going to end up at the far post.
"Everyone went to the near post but I stayed back, the ball just dropped, and thankfully it went in.
"I couldn't believe it, scoring with my first touch, but it was good."
As well as scoring a second at the end when he sprang the Dutch offside trap, he still found time to create a goal for Malcolm Christie as well.
Of his second goal, he says:
"That was a good move, I was in a one on one with the keeper, and I just smacked it past him."
But he did not get any special praise from new U21 boss David Platt - nor did he seek any.
"The manager was happy and now we are just looking forward to the next game," he says.
"He spoke to everyone and said he was pleased with the performance, but he didn't say too much as he had to rush off.
"I thought all the boys played well and it is especially nice to win in front of your own fans.
"We passed the ball well but I was a little disappointed with Holland because I thought they would be a better side than they were.
"But it was just preparation for the Germany game, and I don't see why we can't get a result in that.
"Hopefully I will start that game; if I do I will be delighted, but I'm just happy to be in the squad."
If Jermain can rustle up some signal from above at Anfield so much the better - but he knows that he won't be starting that game either.
So it will have to be another supersub performance if he does get his chance.
"Getting onto the bench would be a bonus - and if I do get on, that would be even better," he says.
"Is Fredi still injured? Probably Kitson or Todorov will start, but I will just be happy to be in the squad.
"It is difficult picking up the pace of the game but it is better than being on the bench for the whole match."
The goals, of course, means the expectancy level from outside increases still further - and thrusts him that much closer to the spotlight.
It is something Glenn Roeder has already voiced his concerns about, but Jermain seems well equipped to cope "just how I was before," he says.
The confidence on the field is not, mercifully, accompanied by arrogance off it, and he adds:
"I try not to think about it, and just keep on doing what I'm doing.
"The most important thing is to enjoy the football.
"Obviously you just want to get out there and show everyone what you can do, but I'll take it step by step."
That confidence extends to the assessment of Saturday's opening game - and the season in general.
"It is a tough start but I am confident we can go to Liverpool and get a result," he says.
"If you look at the squad we have got, it is a great one with some world class players, and the talent is there.
"Hopefully, if we play like we can, we can win the game.
"A top ten finish would be great because last season was a little bit disappointing.
"If we get in Europe that would be a bonus."
And his own personal goal?
"Just to try and get some games for the first team, even if it is only 20 minutes coming off the bench," he says.
"I will have to be patient - and after Christmas you never know what could happen."
* Congratulations also to Steve Bywater, who also made an appearance against the Dutch, keeping a clean sheet.
Taking a fraction less than four seconds to score against Holland after coming on as a substitute for Darius Vassell, his cool finish after a John Terry header deflected his way made him the fastest scorer in international football.
To come on 'cold' and make such a quick impression was a remarkable achievement - one which Glenn Roeder hopes he will be able to repeat on a regular basis in a claret and blue shirt this season.
Jermain admits he doesn't know how he came to be in the right place at the right time - but thinks psychic power might be the key.
"I was saying that to the lads after the game because I don't know why I thought it would go where it did.
"It's wierd, but I just had a feeling the ball was going to end up at the far post.
"Everyone went to the near post but I stayed back, the ball just dropped, and thankfully it went in.
"I couldn't believe it, scoring with my first touch, but it was good."
As well as scoring a second at the end when he sprang the Dutch offside trap, he still found time to create a goal for Malcolm Christie as well.
Of his second goal, he says:
"That was a good move, I was in a one on one with the keeper, and I just smacked it past him."
But he did not get any special praise from new U21 boss David Platt - nor did he seek any.
"The manager was happy and now we are just looking forward to the next game," he says.
"He spoke to everyone and said he was pleased with the performance, but he didn't say too much as he had to rush off.
"I thought all the boys played well and it is especially nice to win in front of your own fans.
"We passed the ball well but I was a little disappointed with Holland because I thought they would be a better side than they were.
"But it was just preparation for the Germany game, and I don't see why we can't get a result in that.
"Hopefully I will start that game; if I do I will be delighted, but I'm just happy to be in the squad."
If Jermain can rustle up some signal from above at Anfield so much the better - but he knows that he won't be starting that game either.
So it will have to be another supersub performance if he does get his chance.
"Getting onto the bench would be a bonus - and if I do get on, that would be even better," he says.
"Is Fredi still injured? Probably Kitson or Todorov will start, but I will just be happy to be in the squad.
"It is difficult picking up the pace of the game but it is better than being on the bench for the whole match."
The goals, of course, means the expectancy level from outside increases still further - and thrusts him that much closer to the spotlight.
It is something Glenn Roeder has already voiced his concerns about, but Jermain seems well equipped to cope "just how I was before," he says.
The confidence on the field is not, mercifully, accompanied by arrogance off it, and he adds:
"I try not to think about it, and just keep on doing what I'm doing.
"The most important thing is to enjoy the football.
"Obviously you just want to get out there and show everyone what you can do, but I'll take it step by step."
That confidence extends to the assessment of Saturday's opening game - and the season in general.
"It is a tough start but I am confident we can go to Liverpool and get a result," he says.
"If you look at the squad we have got, it is a great one with some world class players, and the talent is there.
"Hopefully, if we play like we can, we can win the game.
"A top ten finish would be great because last season was a little bit disappointing.
"If we get in Europe that would be a bonus."
And his own personal goal?
"Just to try and get some games for the first team, even if it is only 20 minutes coming off the bench," he says.
"I will have to be patient - and after Christmas you never know what could happen."
* Congratulations also to Steve Bywater, who also made an appearance against the Dutch, keeping a clean sheet.