It started amid the picturesque backdrop of the Alps in Saalfelden back in pre-season and ended with the Toon Army singing songs about jaunts to Milan at Stamford Bridge on final days - it's been the journey of a lifetime for Newcastle United.
Even during those early interviews at the team's lucrative hideaway in Austria, Eddie Howe made it clear that he would not be drawn into talk of "final positions" in the Premier League. Instead, all the former AFC Bournemouth manager wanted was an improvement and focus from his players.
And - impressively - himself, when the team have lost Howe has looked at his own preparations before lamenting the team. But Howe never gets carried way with success, or beats himself up after a defeat - it's always swiftly on to the next game.
