It is that time again. As the dust settles on a momentous season of fulfilled dreams let us pay homage to those who made Newcastle United's journey so exhilarating.
I offer up Gibbo's Gongs to compare with your own Oscars. I have loved compiling them because there have been so many worthy contestants in each and every category. Whereas in past seasons of bread and water it has been difficult at times to find an isolated winner here half a dozen names have come leaping to mind.
In the end it all boils down to opinion of course and that is what makes it so much fun and open to much discussion. So deep breath and here I go:
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
I am giving it to Joelinton though there is only a paper's width between him and Kieran Trippier.
Trips has been our standard bearer, our up and over the top guy leading by example with the extra asset of great set piece delivery but I just think the transformation of Big Joe has been so startling from centre-forward flop to midfield dynamo that he edges it. Who would have thought when he wore the No 9 shirt so uncomfortably he would end up in the international squad of Brazil, still the most gifted bunch of footballers on Planet Football.
Votes could also be justifiably cast for the likes of Nick Pope, Bruno Guimaraes especially in the first half of the season, and Alexander Isak in the second half, but Joelinton just tops all for me.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
My nod goes to Isak. What a player he is and what an even better player he will become. If the cut off point is the age of 23 it pits Isak against Sven Botman and Joe Willock, two hugely worthy contestants but I must plump for our super Swede.
Special mention must also go to Elliot Anderson and 17-year-old Lewis Miley who came on for his debut at Chelsea and hit the bar. They will be top players in years to come.
MAN OF THE YEAR
Oh, come on. It has to be Eddie Howe does it not? Who has been behind everything that is good? Who has made the right decision on virtually every single occasion? Who is the calm, restrained man manager who can inspire even the most cynical or unemotional?
GOAL OF THE SEASON
I have poured over all United's 68 Premier League goals and there are so many choices but for me I'm going with Isak's outrageous equaliser at Nottingham Forest. The ball landed behind him but in mid air he flicked out his heel to steer it forward across the keeper into the net. That one movement showcased all the attributes of a visionary footballer.
Right from the opening day when Fabian Schar hit a screamer and Callum Wilson delivered a typical clever centre-forward's finish we had a catalogue of quality. Maxi's thunderbolt at Wolves, a series of identical finishes by Miggy Almiron coming in from wide to pass the ball with ferocity into the far corner, Wilson going through his repertoire 18 times.
ASSIST OF THE SEASON
There are two above all others and frankly I cannot separate them. Willock's curling long range pass with the outside of his boot dropping impeccably into the stride of Isak against Spurs and the Swede's stupendous run up the dead ball line beating Everton opponents in confined space with a swivel of the hips ala Elvis to set up Jacob Murphy.
Two very different arts of goal making but both worthy of winning.
SAVE OF THE SEASON
Well, the easy bit first. It has to be Nick Pope. Martin Dubravka pulled off a couple of good stops at Chelsea but, no, Pope has been a definite upgrade and contributed hugely to United finishing with the joint meanest defence in top flight football - only 33 goals conceded, the same as the champions.
After much deliberation his best save for me came in a match when he conceded three! Erling Haaland has smashed records this season and must have thought he had another when he powered through at SJP to strike his shot unerringly but Pope used his considerable height going full stretch to get a glove on the ball and divert it onto the post and away. An inch out in his positioning or a split second late on his take off and it was a goal.
Nick produced many of quality including a high reflex save from Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 0-0 against Crystal Palace here, extra special because he kept his concentration while having so little to do. That was a reliable feature all season of his top drawer keeping.
Another save worthy of recognition was his denial of Adam Lallana's header during another goalless draw at Brighton.
BEST MATCH
Again quite a few. I loved the pulsating 3-3 draw at SJP with Man City because it had everything bar three points but honestly I cannot look beyond Spurs up here. This was billed as the showdown for the final Champions League place but we blew them away . . . three up in nine minutes, unbelievably five up after 21 minutes en route to a final scoreline of 6-1. Oh the ecstasy!
BEST MOMENT
It has to be Wor Flags every home game. They played a significant part in turning SJP into the most atmospheric ground in football.
To those I have not name-checked I sincerely apologise. Every single person from boardroom to manager's office, coaching room, and dressing-room deserves a salute of appreciation. It has been a season like none other in recent memory. Roll on 2023-24.
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