Only on Tyneside would you find a situation such as an £80m investment and the appointment of Rafa Benitez mixed in with a more than likely looming relegation.
Somehow, this incarnation of a Newcastle side is SIX points off safety with just seven games to go.
Somehow, they’ve managed to churn out a worse season than that of last term’s dismal effort.
It’s been the stuff of nightmares for the ever loyal Toon Army, who have watched their side constantly capitulate both home and away for most the season.
Aside from just six wins and a few valiant losses (which again, isn’t much to shout about), there have been very little reasons to smile at St. James’ Park for much of the last year or so.
Barring a miracle, it looks very much like the North East giants will succumb to a second relegation under the ownership of Mike Ashley. Truly pathetic for a club the size of Newcastle United.
Not to rub salt into the wounds too much, but a closer examination of this torrid campaign is reportedly going to undertaken by the Sports Direct mogul at its conclusion, no matter the outcome.
What will he find? Well, it’s likely to make pretty grim reading for the billionaire.
Let’s have a look shall we?
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Click the image below to see the 5 worst moments of Newcastle United’s season!
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vs Sheffield Wednesday (Home), 23rd Sept, League Cup
Steve McClaren was never the most popular of choices when he was installed as the club’s manager over the summer, and a dismal run of form at the start of his tenure did little to improve the public perception of the former England coach.
A thumping of Northampton Town in the League Cup 2nd round was the relief to a shocking run of form in the Premier League, having failed to record a win in their opening six games.
However, such a glorious run in the cup came to an abrupt halt when Championship side Sheffield Wednesday edged past a dire Toon side at home in late September.
Things never truly got better for McClaren.
vs Man City (Away), 3rd Oct, Premier League
Oddly enough, Newcastle actually LED this fixture at the Etihad back in October following a goal from cult hero Aleksandar Mitrovic. In fact, they were desperately unlucky to go into half-time having been pegged back to 1-1!
As the old cliche goes, a goal before the interval can truly change the complexion of the game. And boy, did it.
The home side eased to a 6-1 victory, Sergio Aguero notching FOUR, as some of the most lax defending you’re likely to see in the Premier League afforded the plethora of slick City stars ludicrously easy chances.
An utterly dreadful outing.
vs Sunderland (Away), 25th Oct, Premier League
Toon fans do not need reminding of the dire derby day record they have had to sit through in recent years, though this particular loss was one of the most gruelling.
After beating Norwich City 6-2 in the game leading up to the typically ferocious Tyne-Wear clash, it looked as if the tide could at last be turning for the Magpies.
It wasn’t.
A spirited first-half performance was largely in vein as captain Fabricio Coloccini felled Steven Fletcher just before the break and afforded the Black Cats a penalty against the run of play.
While that was somewhat harsh, the home side did not look back and romped to a SIXTH straight win over their rivals and smashed them 3-0.
vs Crystal Palace (Away), 28 Nov, Premier League
A meeting with former boss Alan Pardew, who left the North East in acrimonious circumstances, appeared to have light a fire in his former charges when Papiss Cisse gave them an early lead in South London back in November.
Much like the aforementioned trip to the Etihad in month previous, the joy for the travelling Toon was short lived as the Eagles best the Magpies in almost every department after the opener.
After such a love-hate relationship with Newcastle, Pardew was able to claim the last laugh as he condemned them to a 5-1 defeat to accompany them on the painstakingly long trip back from the capital.
vs Bournemouth (Home), 5th March, Premier League
While things have barely got better under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez, a crunch loss at home to the Cherries had the Magpies at their lowest ebb this season.
Though now they are marooned toward the foot of the Premier League, when the two clashed in early March, there was not an awful lot of daylight between Newcastle and the ever impressive South Coast underdogs.
Well, that was until all 90 mins were up.
Taking nothing away from just how good Eddie Howe’s side were on the day, but the manner in which the home side were utterly overrun was wholly indicative of the plight dogging them all season.
