So in the end, Newcastle United finished a mere seven points off a Europa League Conference League place in the final Premier League table.
And while Europe was never seriously even on the topic list around the pubs and clubs of Tyneside this season (it really wasn't it!), the final table spoke volumes for the job Eddie Howe and his staff have done. Talk of targets for next season is already bubbling away behind the scenes at United and although the head coach wants to keep that quiet, my understanding is Newcastle's backroom team still feel they are a little bit behind teams like Wolves, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Aston Villa in terms of squad quality.
Then the next clutch of teams, West Ham, Leicester, Man United and Arsenal, are a step above in terms of overall standard and certainly as far as the wage bill is concerned. In fact, all four of the above mentioned sides will be able to blow Newcastle out of the water when it comes to wages this summer.
