Newcastle United's season is over but it ended in impressive style with two victories at home to Arsenal and away to Burnley.
For me, both of those matches could have approached in the wrong manner with United's place in the Premier League already secure. But thanks to Eddie Howe and his staff they picked up another six points to give themselves the club's best tally since 2014 with 49 in the bag surely setting some type of minimum benchmark for next season.
I've already spoken in-depth on The Everything is Black and White Podcast this week about expectations for next season and what they might be in the eyes of fans. Yet I think most people would simply be happy with a better campaign, with the top 10 an obvious starting point, and a run in the domestic cups if they get the luck of the draw.
READ MORE: Inside story of Newcastle's rollercoaster campaign amid boardroom ambition
In years gone by I'd always say that the League Cup was the obvious competition to go at. Although, these days it is so well contested and we saw Liverpool and Chelsea end up in the final using their strong squads and going toe to toe in a penalty shoot-out before the Reds hoisted the famous old trophy.
As I say luck of the draw is huge in the early rounds and bearing in mind Newcastle landed Premier League opponents in two of the last three years, in Leicester and Burnley, they never seem to get it easy. Whatever happens, it will just feel good to not be going into another long hard winter in relegation trouble.
Having watched all 38 Premier League games home and away this season it seems apt to sign off for the campaign with a few accolades.
So here we go...
Player of the year: Joelinton
I think he will be the shout of most pundits and fans but Joelinton's contributions this season have been nothing short of fantastic. The big quality for me is that Joelinton refused to give up on his Newcastle dream.
It would have been easy for him to quit in 2020 after a tough first season but he stayed on and done a job for the team. This season he has been the club's midfield enforcer but just as impressively has stepped up to the plate when asked to play in a more advanced position. You know you will get 100% from him and that's huge moving forward.
Best January signing
This is a really tough call given Dan Burn has been excellent, Matt Targett has fans begging for him to stay, Chris Wood has scored important goals and made big contributions and Kieran Trippier has been nothing short of sensational in every sense.
Trippier will be a prime candidate for player of the season next term if he plays the majority of the campaign, he really is at the top of his game and in a great moment of his career.
For me, though I'd have to go with Bruno Guimaraes with the Brazil international oozing quality. Many people thought Newcastle had signed a defensive midfielder who'd sit back but he is so much more.
Quality on the ball is there for all to see with his passing, he gets goals and he is also a leader. He's been worth every penny of that £33.5million fee.
Moment of the season (onfield)
This goes to Bruno again for his back-heeled wonder volley at Southampton. It was such a rich reward for the fans who travelled to Hampshire on a Thursday night.
But as the rain tipped down they merely got louder culminating with this piece of technical genius that few goalies would have even anticipated. That is probably many people's souvenir for the 2021/22 season.
Moment of the season (off the field)
It has to be the moment the Premier League rubber-stamped the takeover and Mike Ashley had been paid off to allow the Saudi-backed consortium to step forward and make fans dream again.
Goal of the season
There are so many to choose from but there can only be one winner. Sean Longstaff netted a fine strike at Watford to show that he still has an eye for goal while again Bruno's back-heeled volley will win many votes.
Kieran Trippier's pair of free-kicks against Everton and Villa will also get a shout while Joelinton's second at Norwich is up there. And what about Callum Wilson's overhead kick at Palace?
But for me, Miguel Almiron's goal of the month winner in April gets the vote. A sweeping pass from Bruno and then a thunderous strike from Almiron at the Leazes End.
Under-23 star of the season
This one goes to Jay Turner-Cooke who is probably the most exciting talent in the reserve pool at present. Dylan Stephenson deserves a mention too after hitting double figures with the forward surely set for a loan next season to aid his development further.
But Turner-Cooke with his wide range of passing and eye for an assist and goal is one to watch.
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