As our thoughts already drift towards next season in anticipation of another joyous romp through football's uplands there are plenty targets to be set.
Sure, Newcastle's fourth placed Premier League finish bringing with it Champions League qualification plus a Wembley cup final makes it tricky to top but far from impossible.
Let me list my hopefully reasonable but definitely optimistic desires as we look to 2023-24.
READ MORE: Newcastle signing reveals transfer trio's sales pitch which convinced him to shun Arsenal interest
Silverware
We all know the numbers...1927 (last top flight championship), 1955 (last domestic cup), 1969 (last meaningful trophy). All buried in our distant past.
To end an impossible wait would be the major breakthrough that is unquestionably required. Until that happens a shadow will remain over United and their poor pot-collecting record in modern times. As always their greatest chance remains the two domestic cups.
Emulating Robson and Keegan
To reach the sky high standards of a couple of modern day legends after achieving fourth is a nice and hopefully not fanciful thought. Sir Bobby Robson made third and Kevin Keegan second.
Another European scalp
To defeat another marquee name in Europe after Barcelona in the Champions League, 3-2 in 1997; Inter Milan in the European Fairs Cup of 1970 who were overcome 2-0; and Juventus beaten 1-0 in 2002's Champions League.
Hold off fresh challenges
Hold off the challenges which will inevitably be made upon United's lofty position. Yeah, they will be queueing up. From the likes of Aston Villa and Brighton, both of whom will be trying to be us, and a wounded Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea who will feel aggrieved that a club from nowhere put them well and truly in the shade.
Both London clubs will attempt their rehabilitation under new managers of course.
Maybe it sounds ludicrous but the soaring achievements United have reached in the season just ended was perhaps in hindsight the easier part of an ambitious plan.
With expectations low and a light fixture list not burdened by relentless midweek European travel United took full advantage to punch way above their weight but now there is an expectancy country wide and an extra weight upon the squad in terms of recovery and performance.
Eddie Howe, big on stats, is only too aware that the average finishing position for a team in their first year of Champions League football is eighth. That underlines the size of the task United face to buck a trend but they are determined to overcome the odds.
The range of improvement open to us is naturally less than it was. Climbing from base camp to the upper reaches of a mountain can be spectacular but the really difficult bit is rising from three quarters of the way up to the summit.
Howe realises the danger ahead in terms of public expectation but is ready to meet it head on. He like me and thousands of Geordies knows you have to embrace making more rapid strides than expected and take advantage of it rather than being afraid.
Another successful transfer window
The Champions League is the ultimate land in which to reside and we are all grateful to be there. With that in mind this summer's transfer market is key. The success of Newcastle's business will decide how next season ends.
Incoming deals rather than outgoing naturally dominate Geordie thoughts and with United's signings often involving commendable persistence a decisive move for Arsenal's Kieran Tierney who significantly would be moving considerably closer to his family in Scotland makes sense and another push for James Maddison if he shows the required enthusiasm to join United rather than play the field.
The scope of targets remains as wide as the English Channel however and United will continue to be linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry.
+++
During all this Newcastle legends are about to join the Great Debate and celebrate Champions League football.
When a new season opens not that far away in August with all the expectations that will accompany it I am taking to the road with a trio of United stars.
First up Nobby Solano and John Anderson quickly followed by Malcolm Macdonald.
Solano, the feed man for Alan Shearer's golden gun, played Champions League for United as well as appearing in the 1999 FA Cup final at Wembley during 314 first team appearances over two periods which rendered 48 goals.
His sidekick at Wallsend Buffs on Friday August 18 will be Ando, who made a similar whopping 337 outings in Geordie garb highlighted by the team of Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle which won promotion in the eighties.
John is now the BBC Radio Newcastle match summariser at St James Park which means he is equally involved today.
I will be compering the gig which is raising money for North Shields Athletic FC just as I will be sharing a stage with SuperMac at the British Legion Club in Prudhoe on August 24.
Tickets cost a fiver for the Nobby and Ando show in Wallsend and are available from Terry Sweeney on 07968 126622.
If you live in the Prudhoe area it's a tenner for a night including raffle and prizes with a donation going to the local Eastwood Food Bank. Tickets from the club or by e-mailing daveparker76@icloud.com
It is an exciting time to be a Geordie and, my, we are relishing it as well as being wildly optimistic. Where skies were once relentlessly and broodingly dark they have been transformed into wall to wall sunshine which, while we accept the reality of progress having to be earned step by step, no one will be allowed to rain on our parade. We have earned the right to dream.
