Newcastle United have come a long way in a short space of time in just 12 months under Eddie Howe.
And if you needed a reminder of that, a quick scan of the team sheet against Manchester City just over a year ago will tell you everything. That day United lost 4-0 to Pep Guardiola's men on a freezing day at St James' Park and it all felt rather bleak.
Sitting second bottom of the table with 18 matches played and just 10 points on the board it felt like Newcastle were staring the Sky Bet Championship in the face. A look back on the starting line-up that day shows that there are only FOUR survivors to Howe's starting team sheet against Bournemouth the other night.
READ MORE: Chris Wood shoots down transfer talk and says he is 'committed' to Newcastle
Against City, Martin Dubravka was between the posts and Jacob Murphy, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Matt Ritchie made up the defence. In midfield, Howe named a five-man selection of Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock, Isaac Hayden, Joelinton and Ryan Fraser with Callum Wilson up top.
Howe was forced to play a 4-5-1 formation that day and it's a system that has rarely been seen since with 4-3-3 the order of the day now. The Toon boss has dramatically changed the way Newcastle look and play but the scary thing is the rebuild is still very much at the early stages.
Further changes are possible going into the January window and the mind boggles when you think about what Newcastle's team sheet could look like this time next year and where the club could be with Europe a possibility. Howe began his rebuild at the back and made what some saw as a brave decision to switch goalies.
Dubravka will see out the season at Manchester United on loan and while Howe has a lot of love and respect for the Slovakia international, his decision to sign Nick Pope was an inspired one. Pope has been a big factor in the way Newcastle play and not only makes big stops but also starts a lot of attacks.
At right-back bringing in Kieran Trippier as onfield skipper has helped change the dynamic of the team with his tackles and recoveries there for all to see. But also his forward play, assists and the odd goal have altered the way United play.
Bringing in Sven Botman was another masterstroke at the back and after combing the classy Dutchman with Fabian Schar, Newcastle have a fresh and uncompromising centre-back pairing that have restricted the amount of goals conceded to just 11. This time last year Newcastle already had a goal difference of minus 23!
Botman and Schar have replaced Lascelles and Ciaran Clark, who is now at Sheffield United in the Championship. If ever you wanted to see how the Newcastle boss is loyal to hard work and a good attitude a glimpse at left-back tells you a lot.
Despite signing Matt Targett, it is Dan Burn who has knuckled down and made the left-back spot his own. Arguably signed as a central defender, Burn has been a revelation on the left-hand side instead.
In midfield the £40million arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon adds star quality to the engine room. But Joe Willock is another to prove Howe isn't just interested in throwing a cheque book at the situation and Sean Longstaff represents the Academy as the third midfielder at the minute.
Miguel Almiron - United's top scorer with eight goals - is now getting a run in the team in his favourite attacking position with Callum Wilson in the team as the main striker, but knowing Alexander Isak's comeback can't be far away. And then there is a genuine dilemma on the left-hand side of Howe's front three.
Joelinton - who was player of the season last term - has been relied upon in attack four times this term and played the rest as an attacking midfielder. Of that Man City team sheet Clark isn't the only one to be moved on with subs Dwight Gayle sold to Stoke, Jeff Hendrick sent to Reading and Hayden now at Norwich.
Further departures from fringe players in January are also more than likely. But few can argue with any of Howe's decisions with Newcastle now sitting in the top three and still active in both cups.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle to use cryotherapy as training ground upgrades take shape
- Alexander Isak touch and go to take part in Newcastle United's festive programme
- Bruno Guimaraes beats Salah and Haaland to win Fans' Footballer of the Year
- Jurgen Klopp benefits from Newcastle United's last mistake under Mike Ashley
- How PIF are reaching for the skies in Riyadh
