Rewind to the start of the season and those in the north east with a black and white persuasion were openly talking about a top 10 finish and a cup run marking a successful first full season for Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United.
Fast forward to present day and there will now be a tinge of disappointment should the Magpies fail to qualify for the Champions League from their current position. Of course, the vast majority of the St James' Park faithful will still be delighted with a fifth, sixth or seventh-placed finish as long as it means the passports can be dusted off for a European tour next term.
Though while qualifying for one of the two lesser European competitions would rightly be celebrated at this stage in Newcastle's journey, missing out on the top four would slow the club's growth somewhat. Not least because of the finances involved when you reach the Champions League.
